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{
    "id": 93347,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/93347/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 248,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Michuki",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 183,
        "legal_name": "John Njoroge Michuki",
        "slug": "john-michuki"
    },
    "content": "Many issues have been raised but there is no time to respond to all of them, although we could do so. I would like to take up one issue about the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). I think this House ought to know that NEMA has been starved of staff. The ideal situation is that there should be four officers in every district for the Authority to be effective. There should be an environmental officer, enforcement officer and a research officer. It is only in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu where we have this staff. We are not represented in some districts at all. In the midst of this financial year, I will request for additional staff and I will go everywhere to ensure that we get the additional staff so that we are effective. The NEMA has been accused of corruption and I do not know where the truth is. This is particularly the case in issues of environmental impact assessment. We have regulations on the basis of which an assessment is made. I also think that sometimes the NEMA is unfairly blamed. If someone applies to build a house on a piece of land in an urban setting like Nairobi which has a title deed--- You can call it a wetland or whatever you like it but a title deed has been issued, and it is not the responsibility of the NEMA to challenge such documents. When we see the NEMA doing these things, it is because they also want to follow the law. I know we have short-comings. That department has bad apples but they will be weeded out. I have had extensive discussions with the former Speaker who is now the Chairman of the NEMA on how to restructure it. So, we highly appreciate the comments that you have made and the support you have given us. We feel very encouraged that we should take up the challenge which you have put before us. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to move."
}