Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 964595,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/964595/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 393,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Wilson Sossion",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13171,
        "legal_name": "wilson sossion",
        "slug": "wilson-sossion"
    },
    "content": "the affected regions and the entire republic. It is not only West Pokot that is mourning. We are all affected as a country. We are dealing with climate change. Climate change is real. It is not only in West Pokot. It is everywhere. We have witnessed this chain of disasters everywhere. The southern tip of this continent has begun receiving very dangerous cyclones that claimed lives earlier in the year. Within this country, we were told of strong winds by the Meteorological Department. What does this mean? It is in West Pokot today. The floods of Budalang’i that we normally witness might even be three times more than what we normally witness. Climate change means extreme aspects of weather in terms of floods and drought. That is why this country should invite itself to engage deeply in conversation on climate change. As we mourn the affected in West Pokot, this country has very strong measures of dealing with drought. The response to drought has been so good in terms of delivery of food and strategic measures. But because this phenomenon of floods is new, the country does not seem to be prepared at all. This is what we should be talking about - the response measures. It should be the Government and the country responding to such disasters rather than individuals. What is our preparedness as a country? What are the lessons we are learning? I was very keen to know whether the Meteorological Department actually predicted this. The report we have is that the Meteorological Department predicted that the disasters would happen. The big question is: What is the connection in terms of communication from the reports of the Meteorological Department and sensitising the people on the ground? This is the missing link. The Meteorological Department has done a fantastic job. They have very good data and information. How do we then reach the people through our security organs and information systems? That is what we should be talking about. Moving forward, how can we effectively prepare, so that we save lives? We do not talk of West Pokot today and the next day we are talking about another region. This is a critical national matter that must be addressed seriously. This country must address itself to respond seriously to floods and this magnitude of disasters. I warned about legislation even in terms of early warning systems. We have to get down and engage in serious legislation in the face of climate change. We have lost lives and we will keep losing lives. We will still go round in circles talking, but we have to move pragmatically. With climate change, even the current form of infrastructure shall have to change. It will be more costly. I support the Motion. More needs to be done, so that it is the Government responding. We should have strong measures and frameworks in place to respond to disasters related to climate change."
}