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"id": 774652,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Oundo",
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"legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
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"content": "exceptional note and become passionate about the issue of the environment, and as a Member has said, become compassionate. In a span of less than 30 years, my constituency, Funyula, has become food deficient. In 1970s and early 1980s, we had harvests that would run from one season to the other. This is because we used to have two predictable rainy seasons. It would rain between March and July. We would comfortably harvest and have enough to last us to the next season. It would, again, rain between September and late November. We would then harvest, again, in December and January. We would proudly grow cotton. Because of climate change, Funyula Constituency, and the larger Busia County, is now a food-threatened society. The adverse climatic conditions have made it practically impossible to rely on rain-fed agriculture. The soil cover has dried out. Because of the bad economic situation, our people have cut down trees for purposes of construction and charcoal burning thus leaving the soils bare. Consequently, whenever it rains, the runoff clears everything. It destroys roads, homes and clogs the remaining water systems. Siltation of major water pans is now a big problem. Year in, year out, we continuously spend the meagre resources that we have to desilt our water pans thereby misdirecting our resources. I hope this policy on climate finance will be implemented to the letter. We have the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) and many other laws in place yet successive regimes have never given any regard to the environment and the financing of environmental changes. When the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga raised the issue of the Mau Forest, he was fought left, right and centre. Probably, he paid a heavy political price for it, but nevertheless, wherever he is and whatever happens to him, at the end of the day, he will be proud that what he raised many years back has now come to pass. Recently, we read in the Press that in the year 2035, Nairobi City will have run out of water. A few years back, when he raised the concern about the Northern Corridor Water Project, he was vilified and called all names. A few days ago, I saw my colleagues from Murang’a and the neighboring counties raising hell. Honestly speaking, as my colleague who has spoken before me has said, it is time to depoliticise climatic and environmental issues. It matters less whether you are Jubilee or NASA. It matters less whether you have been instructed from above. At the end of the day, it is the people we represent who suffer whenever we have adverse environmental conditions. I strongly support the aspect of financing so that we can have measures to mitigate factors that lead to climate change, but also address issues that follow because of our past mistakes. I suppose part of the funds raised would be devoted towards irrigation because the sector that suffers most is the food security one. We also hope that those funds will be committed towards achieving the 10 per cent forest cover provided for in the Constitution. We are in consultation with the people of Funyula to ensure that every home has enough tree cover. Whenever we have a funeral, we do not have to hire tents. We can sit under trees and bid you farewell knowing that you have left behind a worthy environment which you shall have bequeathed your grandchildren and generations to come. It is important for the Chairman of the Committee in charge of environment and climate- related issues to be a bit more serious, more passionate and concerned about the issue of climatic change. It is not just about numbers. It is not just because you have been told that you must sit there! You must demonstrate ability and passion to oversee such an important aspect of our society. With those very many remarks, I support the adoption of the Motion and I hope it will be implemented as soon as possible so that we can alleviate the problems we have in this society. Thank you. 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."
}