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{
    "id": 758035,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/758035/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 260,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Josephat Wachira",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13441,
        "legal_name": "Josphat Kabinga Wachira",
        "slug": "josphat-kabinga-wachira-2"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I will check my dictionary to see whether this is really not a language to be used. I take note that Egypt and Sudan have not signed this framework citing a revision of Article 14(b) of the same. It is a clear indication of the fact that Egypt and Sudan… I do not know which Sudan we are referring to as one of the past speakers have noted because they have been benefiting and have been holding us captive because of the Agreement of 1902. I have had a chance to participate in a number of activities in this region. I know this has been a great problem or a potential problem in this region. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, one of the speakers who have spoken before me mentioned that there is need to domesticate this kind of framework. I take note that the body given the responsibility of managing water resources in this country, WARMA has something to learn from this. I come from Mwea Constituency that makes use of rivers downstream and they have been overexploited upstream making us not have sufficient water downstream. I believe that if WARMA can take note of this kind of a framework where people can sit and agree on the best way to use our resources that would be very good. I also take note that other than these frameworks that pertain to water, there are other sectors in our region that would require and benefit from such frameworks. I am in particular referring to the security sector. Having participated in conflict management in this region, I know we have a lot of gaps in terms of management of conflicts, peace and security in this region. If we could adopt this kind of framework as a country, I am sure we would do much better. I support the ratification of this framework. I urge those that are charged with responsibilities of managing the same from our country to ensure that we as Kenyans benefit from the establishment of the Lake Basin Commission that will come out of this framework in terms of getting jobs for our people, ensuring that activities that would be supported alongside this framework by various donors, as we have noted in the framework are beneficial to Kenya and we are able to take full advantage of the same. In the same way, I urge especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure our full participation so that we can be strong as we can. This goes even to other establishments in the region. When I look at institutions like East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in the region, our full participation is still wanting. I believe that we need to move with speed to ensure that we take the rightful position in this region so that our people can benefit. Finally, I note that most of the times when we ratify these frameworks and agreements in the region, a number of times it is just in the books and not in action. Therefore, I believe and hope that once this is ratified, the body that will come out of it will have full powers to execute its mandate. I am worried when I see some of the inter-governmental organisations in the region that have got very impressive objectives are unable to execute the same. This is because the very countries and member states who ratify agreements that establish them do not respect their proposal and actions. Most of the time they revert to the sovereignty of their countries and they quote that as a reason not to ratify most of the proposals coming from these bodies. Therefore, I The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}