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{
    "id": 936712,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/936712/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 40,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kilifi South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ken Chonga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13374,
        "legal_name": "Richard Ken Chonga Kiti",
        "slug": "richard-ken-chonga-kiti"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order No.44(2) (c), I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education and Research on the use of Xylene chemical in the recent KCSE Chemistry practical exams and the resultant injuries to students and teachers. With each passing day, new evidence emerges indicating that teachers and students suffered extensive injuries from fumes and explosions of Xylene chemical, which was used as an organic solvent in Chemistry Paper 3. A student from Barina Secondary School in Nakuru County passed away from injuries sustained during one of the Xylene incidents, while two teachers and students from Trans Nzoia, Nyeri, Kilifi and Embu Counties are currently admitted in various hospitals nursing injuries. This paints the picture of a disturbing trend. Further, this chemical appears to have been bought at the last minute - allegedly at exorbitant prices - by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) officials due to dwindling stocks of Cyclohexane - the KNEC-approved organic solvent for the chemistry exams. It is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education and Research on the following: (i) Could the Ministry of Education provide details on the number of injuries and deaths as a result of the use of that chemical? (ii) Why did the Ministry use Xylene instead of the approved Cyclohexane and yet, it appears to be poisonous, causing side effects that are harmful to one’s health, and expensive, given that there are other cheaper and safer alternatives in the market or practical options? (iii) What specific interventions is the Ministry of Education taking to address the ongoing challenges arising from the use of that chemical?"
}