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{
    "id": 98687,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/98687/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 368,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kaino",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 32,
        "legal_name": "Boaz Kipchumba Kaino",
        "slug": "boaz-kaino"
    },
    "content": "Connection of drainages into canals or streams under the control of health authorities is paramount. The Malaria Prevention Act established in 1929 has served us very well. However, mosquitoes behave differently today. They behave just like human beings. For example, they now breed in highlands. We can tell human beings to stop the transmission of HIV/AIDS, but we cannot speak to mosquitoes because we do not understand their language. The only control we can employ against mosquitoes is to eradicate them. We need to control the breeding of mosquitoes in the drainages, dams, rivers and all the water bodies. It is paramount that we take seriously the issue of preventing the breeding of mosquitoes. This is because we cannot talk to them. The only alternative we have is to eradicate them in their breeding grounds. We also need to do in- door spraying. So, the law that was enacted by the colonial Government has served us up to today. Do we not have people who have gone to school? We have many Medical Training Colleges (MTCs) today, but we have failed to turn even one into a Malaria Training Institute. This Bill intends to establish that very important institution for this country and our neighbours who depend on us. Having carefully considered and reflected on the provisions of the Act of 1929, and having studied the emerging trends related to malaria, I have found that the Act does not sufficiently address itself to modern day challenges related to Malaria. We have researchers in this country who have studied abroad such as Canada and so on. The Government does not encourage them to tackle this problem. Where is the research done on the control of malaria in this country? We have not seen anything going on. It is important that we take seriously the prevention of Malaria. If we do that, I am sure this nation will be very rich. This is because the country is spending a lot of money to treat people who suffer from Malaria. There is wastage of manpower hours. If we can turn this round, I think we shall be very rich. This is not something difficult. It is not a miracle because other countries have managed to eradicate malaria. Why can we not do the same? We might have people with malaria parasites in their blood crossing over our borders, but we can still do something to reduce the alarming statistics of malaria cases. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to illustrate some areas in the old Act. First, it does not make reference to the conduct of research and studies aimed at addressing the prevalence of malaria and yet the subject of malaria is dynamic. The approaches in the prevention of malaria that were contemplated in 1929 are not reflected in the present generation. Secondly, the Act does not address itself to mechanisms to be employed in the monitoring of the prevalence of malaria. The fight against malaria must be conducted from the point of knowledge. It is important to monitor the trends in the spread or decline of malaria throughout the country as well as the difficult dynamics related to malaria and the anopheles mosquitoes. We need to understand the geographical spread, seasonal malarial occurrences and others. Today, you cannot say that malaria is confined to a certain area. Malaria is now everywhere in Kenya. It is both in the highlands and the lowlands. It is with this in mind that I seek to introduce the Malaria Prevention Bill, 2010. This Bill seeks to repeal and re-enact the Malaria Prevention Act which is certainly in need of revision in order to adequately address the present-day challenges related to malaria. The proposed Bill is structured in five parts. I have proposed the establishment of the Malarial Prevention and Control Institute. This institute will consist of professionals"
}