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{
    "id": 947607,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/947607/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 388,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, in the urban areas, for example, Nairobi, our temperatures have gone up because it is a concrete jungle. It is no longer the green city under the sun. There is a social media clip going around where a tree in the memory of our noble peace prize winner was cut down. You even wonder how that can happen yet she was celebrated globally. I do not know where the tree was taken. However, that is a sad picture of what this country has become. Madam Temporary Speaker, market centres are now defined in the new Urban and Cities Act. Every market centre must have a green area for Kenyans to relax. Green areas have a direct impact on mental wellbeing of which I am an advocate of. It also has a direct impact on the general wellness of the human psyche and body. Madam Temporary Speaker, a lot has been said. Sen. (Dr.) Zani had ideas on programmes just like Sen. (Rev.) Waqo. We cannot overstate the importance of these associations. This is because, as Sen. Mwaura said, devolution is revolution. When you take the conversation down to the people, things begin to happen. The cogs begin to turn, and there is ownership. Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve talked about owning. When people own an idea, it begins to happen. Leaders must lead from the front. We know that trees can grow anywhere there is grass. So, let it not be a question of just the highlands, plants can also be planted in the semi-arid areas. It is a fact. We are watching with our own eyes how the Middle East is transforming their deserts yet we have a forecast that the Sahara Desert will increase. We should be scared. We should have this conversation every day and make sure that Kenyans understand the importance of trees. Madam Temporary Speaker, I have taken heed of the various amendments that have been proposed including seeking a Statement through the Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources where I sit. We can call the CS and push this conversation on trees further. The issue of funding of the research foundation is also critical. The issue of commercial farming as an approach to achieve our tree cover as well as a commercial venture, as brought up by Sen. M. Kajwang, is a good idea. It is something that the Government is not venturing in. Other progressive governments, for example, Malaysia have allowed commercial farming where people can harvest trees and make money out of them as they continue to plant more. So, the Government can adjudicate areas and direct them towards commercial forest farming so that our multinationals can stop causing political upheavals in our delicate dispensation. I am grateful of the Senate for having this conversation with such depth and passion. I pray that they will vote on this Motion so that we move the conversation forward."
}