Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 947531,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/947531/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 312,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "If you look at the history of Africa, countries like Nigeria had oil to steal, and they stole it. Countries like Zimbabwe had diamonds to steal, and they stole them. Countries like Ivory Coast had Cocoa and Chocolate to steal, and they stole it. However, Kenya did not have a natural resource, we only had land. For us, our version of corruption is the theft of land. Land is terribly expensive in the country because we have no other alternative natural resources that we can dip our hands into. Madam Temporary Speaker, there are two things that we must do to amend that Act. One, the Act requires the Chief Conservator of Forests to prepare a forest status report every two years. Unfortunately, that report goes to the Cabinet Secretary (CS). Why can we not make it mandatory for the forest status report to come to Parliament, so that we can have a conversation that is informed by a status report that comes from the regulators and experts? Two, the Chief Conservator of Forests is supposed to provide a resource assessment report. Unfortunately, it happens only in five years and goes to the CS in charge of Environment and Forestry. I believe that out of the conversations arising from this Motion, we could craft an amendment to the relevant Act, so that the forest status report is also tabled in Parliament. Whatever we do with it is a conversation for another day. Let it come here where the representatives of the people sit. Madam Temporary Speaker, allow me to talk about the issue of commercial tree growing. Many people have gone to this business, which ought to be encouraged because every single tree planted contributes to an increase in tree cover. Kenyan farmers and business people, particularly the middle class, have taken to eucalyptus growing. Kenyans are good at assessing financial impact and returns on projects. However, they are poor at implementation. Quite a few people that I know have gone into eucalyptus growing. Unfortunately, there is a lot of negative talk about the effect of eucalyptus on soil fertility, water usage and biodiversity conservation. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) as well as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has a responsibility to give this country a proper account and information on the impact of eucalyptus on water, soil fertility and overall biodiversity. Madam Temporary Speaker, if we can get the right varieties of eucalyptus that can grow in the different parts of this country, many young people will get into eucalyptus growing. This is because a tree that matures in eight years is as a good as education insurance plan if it is planted on one acre today, taken care of and secured 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."
}