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{
    "id": 814884,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/814884/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 29,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Dullo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13125,
        "legal_name": "Dullo Fatuma Adan",
        "slug": "dullo-fatuma-adan"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Irrigation Bill (National Assembly Bills No.46 of 2017) be now read a Second Time. This is a Bill that was introduced to this House sometime back, but unfortunately, it did not go through. It has now come back through the National Assembly; it is the same Bill. This Bill is very important because it is putting a legal framework in place in terms of how irrigation schemes are supposed to be managed. This is a constitutional right in terms of how we should manage irrigation schemes in this country. We have been having irrigation in this country for a very long time, but with poor management. Therefore, it is really important to have a better legal framework in place. We normally experience many problems whenever there is drought in this country. It is important for us to have irrigation schemes, so that we can supplement the rain-fed agriculture. Mr. Speaker, Sir, having said that, irrigation schemes will allow this country to have food security. We have many problems during drought. The people in Northern Kenyan survive through famine relief, but if we put better structures in place in form of irrigation schemes and how we can increase food production, we will have food security. Again, this will enable us reduce rural-urban migration. Most of the people leave rural areas for urban areas to look for jobs. If we have proper legislation and legal framework in place, we can create irrigation schemes that will create employment for many people in our counties. In Isiolo County, we have several irrigation schemes but the challenge is that normally a lot of money is pumped from the national Government but we do not have proper mechanisms in place in terms of managing them. I brought a Motion to this House regarding the Malka Daka Irrigation Scheme. Year in, year out, the Government pumps in money, but unfortunately it has not picked up to date to benefit the communities. If we have proper irrigation schemes in place, especially in areas that have water problems, they will help communities. Development will also improve in areas where we will create irrigation schemes, for example, we will have better roads. Of course, we will also have extension of electricity. This will also encourage investors to invest in our country. This is a very good move. We should have irrigation schemes. If we have proper irrigations schemes, it will help and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of this country. 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."
}