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{
    "id": 946072,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/946072/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 114,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kimilili, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Didmus Barasa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1885,
        "legal_name": "Didmus Wekesa Barasa Mutua",
        "slug": "didmus-wekesa-barasa-mutua"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support this Report. This is a very important Report considering that, previously, we have had insecurity in Mt. Elgon and lack of titles, as has been said, is part of the reason why the locals were fighting. This Report is going to put that matter to rest. I am also told that the same people who were occupying Chepyuk Phases I and II are the same ones who are trying to encroach on Chepkitale. If this Report is implemented, it is going to secure our forest from encroachment. I am just worried that in future, when the Government changes, we might witness a case similar to what is happening in Mau. A Cabinet Secretary, 10 or 15 years from now, might just declare those title deeds pieces of paper. This must be properly implemented to avoid the scenario where cartels begin to encroach on forest land. Forests are very important and must be preserved. The list of beneficiaries must also be looked into properly and keenly. The locals will resist any attempts by Government to bring people from elsewhere to benefit from that land. The Government must be very clear about the number of people who are going to be given title deeds. This is a very good report. However, in future, the Chair should reach out to a number of leaders within a particular area when preparing such reports. Mt. Elgon neighbours my constituency. We border them and whatever happens in Mt. Elgon also affects the people of Kimilili Constituency. The Committee ought to have invited us to appear before it. Nonetheless, this has happened and the Report is not bad. I hope that the Chair will take note of my concern going forward. This Report has been supported by the local leaders as is indicated in the Committee’s deliberations. I have noticed that there were recommendations that were given to the Committee by the County Government of Bungoma. As a Member of Parliament from that county, I am in agreement with those recommendations. The Committee had looked into them and captured the views of the people of Bungoma through a letter presented by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Public Administration. As I laud this Committee for this particular Report, I also want the Government to ensure that the people encroaching on Chepyuk area are stopped from doing so in order to avoid misunderstanding. The Government should look for alternative ways of resettling those who have encroached on the land in Chepkitale area. You know there are generations which are trying to inherit land which their fathers grabbed or encroached on. I think it is not fair to just throw them away. A win-win situation must be found, so that they can also be accommodated. Hon. Speaker, the Committee should also ensure that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, and all other State agencies, are keen enough not to allow Kenyans to encroach on forest land or any other Government land. It beats logic that people who are supposed to ensure that forest land and other Government land is well preserved and only used for purposes of the Government, sleep on the job until Kenyans encroach on such land. Some even begin to sell the land they have encroached on. In future, that will bring a problem to this country. Therefore, the Government should ensure that forest land is not encroached on. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}