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{
"id": 1552712,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552712/?format=api",
"text_counter": 41,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13599,
"legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
"slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
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"content": "I would rather just sit down; I really have nothing nice to say as a Chelsea fan myself. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1552713,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552713/?format=api",
"text_counter": 42,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13599,
"legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the point I was making is the point of communication. It is critical for us as a House to set down a marker. That if there were prior engagements at the moment the Cabinet Secretary received the letter, it is only fair that he notifies the House that, that day clashes with prior arrangements. Secondly, what you have read is not an explanation. If you tell somebody that there were prior arrangements; that is not an explanation or a reason. At least sometimes, we hear some people say that they had a meeting at State House, a Cabinet meeting at State House or they are engaged in security operations somewhere. That is a reason. What that letter states, in my very humble opinion, is contempt of this House."
},
{
"id": 1552714,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552714/?format=api",
"text_counter": 43,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
"slug": "murungi-kathuri"
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"content": " Hon. Senators, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has only one Question. Let us engage her on it. Once she exits, then as we transit to the time that was allocated for the Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Economic Planning; I will give you some minutes to ventilate on that matter. Madam Cabinet Secretary, you are at the far corner, kindly, move a bit closer. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly assist her. Yes, that is a better position for engagement. Cabinet Secretary, welcome. I can see you have now come with another cap from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. The last time you were here and I was also the Chair, you were the Cabinet Secretary for Health. So, welcome back to the Senate. I think this new docket is so friendly to anybody who can engage on matters environment because they are actually what we do every day. You have one Question from the Senator for Kirinyaga County, Sen. (Dr.) Murango. I request Sen. Wakili Sigei to stand in on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) Murango."
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"speaker": null,
"content": "Question No.037"
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"text_counter": 45,
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"content": "TREE HARVESTING IN KAMURUANA HILL FOREST AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY CONCERNS"
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"id": 1552717,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
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"content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am reading this Question on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) James Murango from Kirinyaga County pursuant to a letter of authorisation dated 9th of April 2025, authorising me to ask it on his behalf. Madam Cabinet Secretary, welcome to the Senate. Hon. Senator for Kirinyaga County has the following Question No.037 for you- (a) Could the Cabinet Secretary provide details on the ongoing tree harvesting in Kamuruana Hill Forest in Kirinyaga Central constituency, stating whether the harvesting is legal and whether public participation was undertaken prior to the harvesting. (b) What measures is the Government implementing to assure the local community of environmental safety given the risks of deforestation in the context of climate change and its potential impact on the ecosystem? (c) What steps has the Ministry has taken to prevent deforestation and promote reforestation efforts across the country. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1552718,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552718/?format=api",
"text_counter": 47,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1552719,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552719/?format=api",
"text_counter": 48,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
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"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
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"content": " Madam Cabinet Secretary, you can respond to the three questions."
},
{
"id": 1552720,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552720/?format=api",
"text_counter": 49,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry",
"speaker_title": "",
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"content": "(Hon. (Dr.) Deborah Barasa): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, and hon. Members, for giving us the opportunity to address the questions and concerns that were given to us. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kamuruana Hill Karaini, which is within Kangaita Forest Station, is located in Kirinyaga West Sub-county. It covers an area of 23.87 hectares composed of 14.7 hectares of Pinus patula, that is pine trees plantation and 9.17 hectares of bush and grasslands. It is detached from the main forest block of Kangaita Forest. With regards to harvesting in Kamuruana Hill, Karaini Forest, I wish to clarify that there is no tree harvesting activities being undertaken on this Hill. This can be confirmed by the latest satellite imagery and photos annexed (A) and (B). If and when this is going to take place, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) will be guided by the provision provided in the Kenya Forest Conservation and Management Act and any other relevant legislations, such as the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) 1999, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Public Procurement and Assessment Disposal Act (PPADA) with strict adherence to meaningful public participation. With regards to the question about the measures the Government is implementing to assure local community of environmental safety, given the risk of deforestation in the context of climate change and its potential impact on the ecosystem, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry is implementing strategic measures to guarantee environmental safety to the local communities. The measures are outlined in Section 48 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 and the National Environment Policy, 2013. For example, in fulfilment of the legal environmental requirements as stipulated in the EMCA 1999, under the Second Schedule, KFS undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Forest Plantations is annexed one. During the process of development of the EIA report, sufficient public participation was conducted, such as public participation report for the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem in Embu annexed two. The scope of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was impact identification, mitigation measures and environmental management plan during harvesting. Safety measures referred to Chapter 6 of Annex three on Potential Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures. The ESIA also provides guidance on seedling production, planting, management of plantations, process for disposal of mature plantations, harvesting and decommissioning. You can refer to Chapter 5.8 on project activities and also provide for public participation in those areas. The KFS was subsequently issued with an EIA licence to undertake the harvesting with accompanying conditions, Annex four as attached. Harvesting operations of plantations in the country are guided by ESIA report on environmental and social safeguards. In order to address climate change and The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1552721,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1552721/?format=api",
"text_counter": 50,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "resilience, KFS is carrying out its afforestation and re-afforestation operational plan, which aims to restore harvested plantations and develop and restore degraded forest areas within natural forest ecosystem. This is part of the KFS Forest Conservation 2024/2025 Annual Work Plan is annex five. Specifically, on the Medium Term and Beta priorities, the Ministry has- (1) Finalised the development of National Forest Policy, 2023 and the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy 2023-2032, mobilised resources and mainstreaming tree growing in all sectors, awareness creation and publicity. (2) Coordinated production of quality tree seeds towards achievement of 100 metric tonnes annually. (3) Coordinated seedling production towards achievement of 1.5 billion annually. (4) Coordinated growing of trees towards achievement of 1.5 billion annual targets. (5) Recruited 2,664 forest rangers. (6) Rehabilitated 61,256 hectares of degraded public natural forests. (7) Established 10,763 hectares of public forest plantation. (8) Fenced 1,190 kilometres of natural public forests. (9) Rehabilitated 7,505.69 hectares of mangrove forest ecosystem. (10) rehabilitated 3,054 hectares of bamboo forests. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the question about what steps the Ministry has taken to prevent deforestation and promote reforestation efforts across the country; in order to prevent deforestation across the country, the Ministry has- (1) Through the KFS, recruited, trained and deployed 2,664 forest rangers, 474 foresters across all the forest stations for protection and surveillance to enhance survival of planted seeds (See annex 6). (2) The recent recruitment of forest rangers, forest officers and cadets has been a game changer, achieving a significant reduction in illegal forest activities, which contribute to deforestation. (3) The Ministry, again, deployed a multi-agency security team to enforce and eradicate illegal logging and charcoal production. These enhanced surveillance and patrols, KFS has intensified surveillance efforts, including aerial monitoring and ground patrols to deter illegal activities. These measures have contributed to a reduction in illegal logging and charcoal production as communities become more aware of the importance of forest conservation- annexed seven. (4) Legal enforcement on individuals apprehended for engaging in illegal logging and charcoal production face legal consequences, including fines and other penalties. This strict enforcement serves as a deterrent to others considering involvement in such activities. (5) For the regulatory measures; the Ministry has drafted regulations to regulate charcoal production, propose legislation mandates, the registration and licensing of all commercial charcoal producers, requiring them to obtain permits before engaging in production. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}
]
}