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{
    "id": 769584,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/769584/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 30,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chepkut",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13288,
        "legal_name": "William Kamuren Chirchir Chepkut",
        "slug": "william-kamuren-chirchir-chepkut"
    },
    "content": "encourage public participation in the management, protection and conservation of the environment; further aware that deforestation is one of the main contributors to climate change; noting that Kenya has not been spared by the effects of global warming and climate change as a result of deforestation amongst other aspects; deeply concerned that this has adversely affected the agriculture sector which is the backbone of the rural economy, and also led to severe drought being experienced in all parts of this country; this House urges the Government to introduce compulsory tree planting programmes in all learning institutions and individual households. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, this Motion of compulsory planting of trees in all institutions and our households is very necessary because in 1963, our forest cover was 13 per cent. Deforestation and cutting down of trees has really affected our environment. As I speak to this august House, our forest cover stands at 1.7 per cent. You all know that forests are key. They provide food, firewood, wood for furniture and shelter, just to mention but a few. So, I urge all of us, as Members of Parliament, to pass this Motion so that all pupils in schools, students, teachers, administrators and parents can plant trees even on their own farms. We must plant trees on 10 per cent of our total land mass for this generation and the generation to come. We have three classic examples. The second President of the Republic of Kenya in 2002 started Egerton University Botanic Gardens and planting of trees. In 2011, the Ambassador of China to Kenya started herbal tree planting in Egerton. Another classical example is here in Ngong in Kajiado County. The Kenya Reinsurance Corporation in its corporate social responsibility is planting trees. I urge Members that when there is peace, let institutions such as the National Youth Service (NYS) and the Kenya Army go and plant trees in our forests. In Mau Forest, Mount Kenya, Aberdares and even Kaptagat Forest in my home area, people are cutting down trees without planting others. This happens even in Nandi and Kericho. A classic example again is Unilever, which has tree nurseries and are planting a lot of trees. We have really destroyed our forests. Trees provide both herbal and convectional medicine. I urge the Members of this 12th Parliament to support this Motion so that it becomes compulsory that we all plant trees, especially in the Mau Forest. In the Mau, the NYS can be deployed to plant trees. There was the Forest Act of 2005 that mandated the management and conservation of forests in our country to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). As Members of Parliament, I want us to move with speed. I want the KFS to plant trees. Raiply Kenya cuts down trees, makes a lot of money and it does not plant more trees. I want bamboo trees to be planted in our forests. In our homes, I want our school children, parents and all of us to plant trees in 10 per cent of the land we own. I urge all of us to support this Motion. With those few remarks, I beg to move and request the Member for Bomachoge Borabu Constituency, Hon. Zadoc Ogutu, to second the Motion."
}