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{
    "id": 719326,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/719326/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 230,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "drought we have experienced from around November. I want to congratulate Hon. Ochieng for bringing this Motion to the House although, like you said, we do not vote on it. We want the nation and the world to hear that this is a very serious matter and we, as the leadership, take it seriously. While we have areas which are geographically drought-prone like the northern part of Kenya, we generally lack preparedness. You have seen a situation where when it rains in Nairobi, everything is just woken up. If it rains today or in the next two days, you will find a number of people drowning and vehicles being swept away. Some measures were taken by the Government some time back after the El Nino rains and some departments were formed in the Office of the President. The Government then felt that there must be a unit to handle those kinds of calamities, but that was not right. There must be a purpose for which a unit, department or Ministry is formed, so that its role can be properly spelt out and this should not be done on ad hoc basis to serve the whims of individuals. When the individual goes, that department is scrapped. That is another problem we have had. Some time back we were told that the NYS would construct roads in North Eastern and other places. However, either because of corruption, nepotism or tribalism, all the departments were scrapped and turned into some kinds of units which are just used by individuals for their own selfish gains. The NYS had almost gone under, but when we got Madam Waiguru as the Cabinet Secretary, the NYS came up only for the purpose we saw it perform. I read in the newspapers that the people who were giving evidence on the NYS scandal are now getting tired, it is very sad yet a lot of money was lost and taken by a few individuals. People and livestock are suffering and dying because of drought. I do not think God should pardon people of that kind of nature. It is worse than somebody who kills with a knife or by shooting because he cuts one’s life abruptly and maybe the person may not feel a lot of pain, but the pain Kenyans are going through because of drought and corruption where money is being wasted or embezzled by a few individuals is something that needs to be addressed. The other issue is food security. There were no reserves. It is very worrying that today, maize flour, I am told, is more expensive than beans. It is really sad. Even as we are talking about this issue which we are not going to take a vote on, it is important for those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring this is done. They should take action on this so that in future, we are not faced with the same situation. The rains are going to come with a lot of floods which we have not mitigated. A specific department should be charged with the issue of drought. The Meteorological Department should also assist us with information. With those few remarks, I support."
}