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{
    "id": 947584,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/947584/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 365,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Langat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13189,
        "legal_name": "Christopher Andrew Langat",
        "slug": "christopher-andrew-langat"
    },
    "content": "Another issue that I would like to encourage Sen. Kasanga to add on this Motion is the issue of supporting forest research foundation. There are some very important institutions that have been ignored completely in this country. Yesterday, I talked about how much the Government has ignored the Tea Research Foundation to the point that farmers have continued, for a long time, dwelling and planting traditional crops that no longer support their economic value at this point of time. Forest research foundations or institutions should be encouraged so that we get the right seedlings for the right places. For example, we were talking with Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri the other day, and I was appreciating him and his county because of how forested Kisii region is. He told me that the eucalyptus trees they have planted in Kisii are so harmful to that region instead of being a support to the region. In fact, the trees that they have planted have consumed water to the point that they are affecting the crops in that region. If we had proper forest research foundations going round the country, advising people appropriately on the right trees to plant in particular places, this mess could not be there. We are currently facing the same problem in Bomet County, where most of the trees which are consuming a lot of water, like the eucalyptus trees, have been planted even in water source areas. They have contributed negatively and heavily on the environment than being a support to the environment. Therefore, the establishment of a strong forest research institution is very important when it comes to supporting this Motion. As I finish, we should also emphasise on policies on construction. I have visited some countries where construction using timber is no longer encouraged. People use metal during construction. We are still traditional thinking that we must engage timber for every building. That coupled with the poverty rates in our country, you cannot ask somebody not to harvest their trees simply because of a policy. Due to poverty, people cut down trees so as to educate their children and so forth. There are several policies that should be encouraged. We should also support poor people so that trees that have been planted are secured in various places we come from. I support this important Motion and what other speakers have said before me. I have said before that an area like Baringo was more or less a desert in the 1980s. I wish 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."
}