Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 784091,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/784091/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 285,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there must be measures of transparency and accountability. In this Bill, it is proposed that all the Government entities must work together to plan ahead. I should not be told that food insecurity, drought or certain disasters that can be predicted are emergencies to the extent that we cannot plan ahead for them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 6(1) of the Bill states:- “The national and county governments shall promote the physical and economic access to adequate food of acceptable quality.” Clause 7 of the Bill is on the Obligation of the Government in relation to freedom from hunger. It is about adopting appropriate policies, enhancing preparedness and adopting culturally-sensitive responses in ensuring that all persons are free from hunger. There is a special provision in Clause 8 that deals with the role of the national and county governments on matters of Child nutrition. Clause 8(2) states:- “The National and county governments shall collaborate with stakeholders to establish and implement programmes, including school feeding programmes, that promote child nutrition and food security, taking into consideration the interests of vulnerable and marginalized children.” Again, the only way you can ensure that the right to education is achieved is to guarantee food in many parts of this country, especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) areas. That is the role of the county and national governments. I have seen many governors when asked a question on this; they deflect it to the national Government. This obligation is not just an obligation of the national Government. It is an obligation of both the national and county governments. That is why Article 6(2) of the Constitution says:- “The governments at the national and county levels are distinct and inter- dependent and shall conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and co- operation.” The two levels of government must work together because they are serving the same clients who are the people of Kenya. There is also another special provision and, I dare say, most of these provisions have been borrowed from the United Nations Convention that deals with matters of food security. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 9 talks about pregnant and lactating women who must be protected. Expectant mothers are very vulnerable persons if they do not get the right food. I cannot overemphasize that. Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri, who is a medical doctor, is here; he understands this and he can explain further about the need to ensure pregnant and nursing women have enough food. In most cases, pictures that are paraded in global scenes are of struggling children trying to suckle their poor mothers who cannot even access food and water. There must be programmes of intervention on issues relating to problems of nutrition for children and lactating mothers. 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."
}