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{
    "id": 664736,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/664736/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 364,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Madam Temporary Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank colleague Senators for supporting this important Bill. Land is a critical resource. More importantly, it is a finite resource. It is limited. The land mass of Kenya will never expand unless we reclaim parts of the territorial sea like the Dutch have done in Holland. Therefore, considering that land is a finite resource, we must use it well. For it to be used well, the working relationship between the institutions concerned with the administration of land must be improved. It is in that connection that I am very happy that this Bill will improve the previously difficult relationship between the NLC and the Ministry of Lands. Secondly, I reiterate the importance of addressing historical injustices in our country. This country is pained by the numerous tensions, conflicts and disputes around land. In fact, the very essence of the struggle for freedom and Independence of our country is centred on land. Since then I do not think we have got the land issue correctly. Hopefully, with the new land legislation, we will resolve this issue. Kenya is a great country, but the land issue is an area that has blotted our happiness and cohesiveness as a country. Madam Temporary Speaker, the third issue I want to talk about is the issue of elections. We have had numerous cases of the so-called developers and other people with rights on land, removing people who might not have absolute or long-term rights on land, but have short-term rights. World over, the rule is that the rights of those dwellers must be respected, including when to conduct an eviction. You can imagine some of the cases we have had where bulldozers invade some settlement at 2.00 a.m. when people are asleep. Children and women are harassed and removed by force. By the time it is daybreak, they have been thrown out. So, we need this law to straighten up issues to do with evictions, so that when we must do them, we can do them in an orderly and lawful manner that is respectful of the human dignity and the human rights of the people concerned. Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not want to say any more than I have done. Once again, I thank those who have contributed. I beg to move. Madam Temporary Speaker, again, given that we do not have numbers to carry out a Division, I request that you direct that the putting of the question be deferred to tomorrow in accordance with your powers under Standing Order No.54(3) of the Standing Orders of the Senate."
}