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{
    "id": 922275,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/922275/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 287,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Kamar",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 33,
        "legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
        "slug": "margaret-kamar"
    },
    "content": "It was expected, under the same Standing Order No.215(2), that within 60 days of the resolution, the CSs and holders of relevant independent offices would provide to this Senate, through the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, a report on how they plan to handle the resolutions that came from this House. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is now 120 days since the Clerk transmitted the resolutions and no report has been brought forth through our Committee. Furthermore, we are currently faced with a new maize crisis which is being orchestrated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, with an interest to import maize even during a year when God has been merciful to the Kenyan farmer and given us good rains. The CS has been heard in media houses as well as when he addressed the National Assembly, claiming that there is a maize crisis and yet harvesting is expected to begin in the next two months in the maize growing areas of this country. Furthermore, the same Ministry did not fund the NCPB to buy maize harvested in 2018 from farmers. It should be noted that NCPB bought less than 40 per cent of the 2018 produce. In particular, it limited the amount of maize that was supposed to be released by the farmers. Around March, 2019, large scale farmers were asked not to deliver anything more than 400 bags. We are aware that at that time, there were farmers who had even over 10,000 bags in their stores. In fact, large scale farmers only managed to deliver the 400 bags within the month of March and the NCPB was closed. Mr. Temporary, Speaker, Sir, it is extremely unfortunate that in May, 2019, the same CS went ahead to seek a window to import maize without taking stock of the amount of maize that the large-scale farmers still had. To date, we do not know the exact figure that is in the stores and what was delivered. The actions of the Ministry are worrying because that could cause instability in the maize production sector and, hence, food insecurity in this country. We all know that maize means food in this country. Our Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries must take very keen interest in the staple food of Kenyans. Agriculture is a devolved function. As it has been mentioned, the budget for agriculture according to a Declaration by the African Union (AU), should be 15 per cent. The Committee must take keen interest right from the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}