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{
    "id": 930573,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/930573/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 290,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Lugari, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ayub Angatia",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2153,
        "legal_name": "Ayub Savula Angatia",
        "slug": "ayub-savula-angatia"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to make a few comments in regard to the National Drought Management Authority (Amendment) Bill. First, I would like to address the issue of food as part of the parametres that are regarded as national security matters. Hon. Oundo has made reference to the effect of the treaty that we signed among African countries on the utility of the waters of Lake Victoria as blocking Kenya and the East African Region from utilising that facility. However, we can do a petition to the United Nations Convention on Food Security to amend the treaty. Alternatively, we can circumvent the treaty by utilising the rivers that feed Lake Victoria. An example is River Nzoia that has its source in Trans Nzoia County. River Nzoia can help us manage the persistent drought crisis in West Pokot, which borders Trans Nzoia County. River Nzoia can help us manage the drought crisis in Turkana County because the county borders Trans Nzoia County. So, we can circumvent the treaty. I am also glad to address the good objectives and principles guiding the establishment of the proposed fund. First, they will facilitate timely response to drought during difficult states. On the headline of today’s Star, there is an image of an emaciated baby from Baringo, who is suffering from the effects of drought. However, I am happy that this amendment has been brought by the Leader of the Majority Party to address such shameful developments that are captured on newspapers. Secondly, the Bill provides for a common basket for emergency. We do not want to see the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution running around with some sacks of maize to Turkana or Mandera. We do not want to see him reacting instead of being proactive. So, this Bill will help us to plan and have enough funds to mitigate against crisis caused by drought. The other principal objective, which I am happy about, is with regard to provision of funds for capacity building. You project how much you are going to spend on drought mitigation and management. This will give us clear indicators when we are doing our budget. Are we focusing on saving lives? How much are we going to put to save lives? Lastly, the Bill seeks to establish the management of the fund for purposes of coordination of its activities. We have had difficulties in counties where governors are allocated money to coordinate drought-related activities only for them to refer the matter to the national Government. If passed, this Amendment Bill will help county governments to work closely with the national Government in ensuring that we have a streamlined approach towards drought mitigating with a long-term objective of saving lives through producing enough to feed our nation. With those remarks, I support."
}