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{
    "id": 774044,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/774044/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Murkomen",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": " I first of all sympathize with the situation in Samburu, Turkana, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot. For the benefit of persons here who do not come from those volatile areas in so far as matters of cattle rustling are concerned, it is a big problem. In fact, when people say that the Chairman should quickly give us an answer on how to recover the livestock, about two weeks ago, a large number of livestock was taken from Elgeyo-Marakwet County towards the direction of Baringo County, particularly the side of Tiaty Constituency. I am sure that even the ones for Samburu are headed in that direction or further to the Turkana side. Last week, the ones from Turkana County were taken towards Tiaty Constituency. The other day, livestock were taken from West Pokot County to Elgeyo-Marakwet County and from Elgeyo-Marakwet County to West Pokot County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as leaders who come from those regions, that is, the Senator of Samburu County, the Senator of Turkana, the Senator of Baringo and I are actually tired. I dealt with this issue for a half of the last term, all the time going for funerals. This weekend alone we will be burying three people who were killed one week ago. We are tired. As leaders, we had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Coordination of National Government. He will visit that region, including Samburu and Turkana Counties. He has also promised that in the first week of March we shall have a marshal plan conference on how to deal with this problem permanently. I want to urge Sen. Lelegwe, Sen. (Prof.) Imana, Sen. Poghisio and Sen. Moi to be available for this very important project that the Ministry wants to spearhead, pursuant to the directions given by the President so that we can stop this. It happens and then there is a periodic lull before it happens again on a wider scale. Mr. Speaker, Sir, even as the Chairman is being asked to give a quick answer, I am categorical that we will not find the livestock even if we send someone at the moment. We are talking about a region that is more armed than the country. There are more arms than, perhaps, the entire country itself, with the exception of the north eastern part of the country. We are dealing with issues of small arms and cattle rustling. I want the Chair of this Committee to walk with us and invite the Senators. Most of the time we leave it to Members of the National Assembly or think that the governors alone can deal with it. With the plan that the Ministry has, we have an opportunity as a region to open up, particularly, Tiaty Constituency up to the parts of Turkana and Samburu Counties to development of such a scale that will discourage many young people who are carrying guns. I appreciate what Sen. Sakaja said; that we would rather go to the CS and tell him to do something in the meantime for people to get food, shelter and so forth, and come later with a comprehensive answer on how to deal with this issue in the whole region. This is better than to be told to just come and read a statement. There are some tired statements that come to this House that say:- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}