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{
    "id": 981739,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/981739/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Late December last year, after an absence of more than 70 years, locust swarms returned to Kenya. The world watched scenes of residents of Wajir County and other parts of the North Eastern region desperately trying to chase them away with sticks and others banging metal sheets. The swarms have since moved and invaded wider areas and continue to cause significant crop, pasture and forest cover losses in the counties mentioned. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the desert locust is considered one of the most dangerous of the flying pests by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The current invasion remains extremely serious because the locusts seem to be invading more areas each passing day. The devastation visited on vegetation by these insects is so intense that it is estimated that a small swarm, covering one square kilometre can eat the same amount of food in one day as 3,500 people. This is a great risk to food security and social stability both at the national level and in particular, the areas under invasion. Agriculture is a key sector in Kenya, accounting for 26 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019. It continues to be the bedrock of the development of our people in this region. It creates jobs for our people, besides satisfying their nutritional needs. Overall, the locusts have devoured crops and pasture across the region and beyond. Besides human beings, livestock health and productivity have also been negatively impacted. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kenya has experienced a major drought followed by several floods in the last two years, which have weakened its resilience, and now there is the locust invasion. Urgent control measures are required to manage the situation and protect the livelihood of human populations in this region. A critical issue would be properly structured coordination, because swarms do not obey international, national or country boundaries. The Government must, therefore, urgently coordinate with other governments as well as county governments in the region to roll out a sustainable solution. Our fields are being wiped out of crops and pasture. Depending on the extent of the damage to the crops and pastures and the resultant impact on the farmers livelihood and coping capacities, immediate support for the rehabilitation of the affected households must be considered by the Government. The Government must consider compensating the people in the affected regions for the losses they have suffered and continue to suffer. This is important to sustain lives, livelihoods and to maintain social stability. I recall that during the drought that affected the North Eastern region of the country a few years ago, the Government came up with a policy framework to mitigate the effects of the drought for the people in that region. The same should be considered by the Government for the people of the regions affected by the locust invasion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge the Government to act fast and mobilize the required resources to scale up control and preventive measures. This may include but not limited to formation of a national task force to control and manage the situation. The use of sticks, beating of drums and shouting at the locusts to chase them away from farms and pastures points to a level of desperation by people who feel abandoned by both the national and county governments at their hour of need. This Statement must be appreciated for what it is; a call to action to the Government to alleviate the suffering of millions of its own citizens. 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."
}