{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147778","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147776","results":[{"id":1495962,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495962/?format=json","text_counter":347,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Naomi Waqo, Member for Marsabit County."},{"id":1495963,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495963/?format=json","text_counter":348,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support this Environmental Management and Coordination (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 66 of 2023) by Hon. Irene Mayaka. I also want to congratulate her for coming up with this amendment Bill which is very relevant to every part of this country. It is very important, especially now when we are talking about climate change. Kenyans and the entire world are struggling with how we can cope with that situation. I support this amendment because of the facts that she has already given and other facts that all the other Members have given. I also want to add my voice to that so that the proposed amendments can be put in place to save the situation in our counties and different parts of this country. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you may know, some time back, it was like a tradition for all of us to plant the eucalyptus trees all over. Little did we know that the disadvantages were so much such that we did not even imagine that in some few years, we would be talking of the negative impact it has had, especially for those of us who come from ASAL areas. We and our parents have planted them in our farms, small shambas, our plots, and even around the wet areas. At the end of the day, the trees have done a lot of damage. The earlier we get rid of those trees, the better for us. Although I know many people have been talking about the advantages such as the medicinal side of it, and all those other things, but when you look at the negative impact, it is so high that we need to get rid of them. Hon. Temporary Speaker, after looking and doing a bit of research on that type of tree, I have seen that it's roots spread up to 100 feet, which also means that, if you plant it close to your house, the damage it causes is huge. Your house can be brought down by it. People in the villages do not have a lot of resources. They cannot afford to come up with a very strong"},{"id":1495964,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495964/?format=json","text_counter":349,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."},{"id":1495965,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495965/?format=json","text_counter":350,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"foundation for their buildings. So, when you plant eucalyptus trees around those areas, your house would be damaged. Many people cannot insure their houses and the loss would be so huge on them. That is because repairing the houses would be costly. I have heard many people from my village complain about that and trying to relocate their houses to a different place, which is not easy because of the cost. Another thing that I have seen from experience is that during the windy and rainy seasons, eucalyptus trees easily fall. When they fall, the damage is huge because they might fall on houses, classes and even on human beings. Hon. Temporary Speaker, there is no need to plant eucalyptus trees as they are a disadvantage to our community. I support this Bill so that we get rid of them and replace them with other trees that have relevance and are of benefit to our communities. With those few remarks, I support."},{"id":1495966,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495966/?format=json","text_counter":351,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Christine Ombaka, Member for Siaya County."},{"id":1495967,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495967/?format=json","text_counter":352,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Siaya County, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. (Dr) Christine Ombaka","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I rise to support this Amendment Bill because it is good for the country. If planting of eucalyptus trees is one of the causes that affect our water, it is better to sacrifice and ban them, especially along the rivers and springs. Anything that affects mankind in terms of water resources is a dangerous thing. Women of all ages, and even boys, suffer a lot whenever they are looking for water. Some even spend a whole day looking for water in the rivers, springs and all over. Even in areas without eucalyptus trees, the situation gets worse at times. This would be made worse with eucalyptus trees around. Therefore, any tree that would cause dryness by sucking water from springs and rivers is a dangerous one. I support this Bill because human beings are the ones who suffer. Water is life. Without water, there is no life. So, this is a dangerous tree that we need to control its planting to ensure that it is not grown along the river banks. My next point is that people plant those eucalyptus trees because they believe it is medicinal. Yes, it is. That has been confirmed. Eucalyptus is used to treat various diseases like coughs and colds, and it is also used in insecticides. Therefore, the people see the benefit of it. However, the people need to be educated on its effects so that they take precautions. During the tree planting season, people plant any tree that they see. It is important to use such opportunities to educate the people on the type of trees to plant and which ones to avoid. That way, we will avoid planting trees that are harmful or those that will affect our daily lives. I support this Bill because it is touching on the very core of human life – that is water. Women bear the biggest burden. Therefore, we need to ban planting of eucalyptus trees along the rivers, springs or any water sources that we have around. I support the Bill, and we will continue to debate on it. Thank you."},{"id":1495968,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495968/?format=json","text_counter":353,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Patrick Ntwiga, Member for Chuka/Igambang’ombe."},{"id":1495969,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495969/?format=json","text_counter":354,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Chuka/Igambang’ombe, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Patrick Ntwiga","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to support this important Bill by Hon. Irene Mayaka. I come from the Tharaka-Nithi County, Chuka/Igambangombe Constituency, where the eucalyptus tree is a main problem. I want to look at the problems the eucalyptus trees have caused in terms of the investments that we are doing, the water catchment areas for irrigation, and all the water intakes that we have done in my constituency. The Government has invested so much money in those things. People have started doing irrigation using the water projects, but our rivers are drying up. All the investment that we have done in the intakes is going to waste."},{"id":1495970,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495970/?format=json","text_counter":355,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Chuka/Igambang’ombe, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Patrick Ntwiga","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."},{"id":1495971,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495971/?format=json","text_counter":356,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Chuka/Igambang’ombe, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Patrick Ntwiga","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is important for us to avoid eucalyptus trees because in planting them, we are reversing the already laid out investments. In my constituency, we have an investment of almost Ksh1 billion by the European Union for a water intake that is supposed to serve Chuka Town and its environs. But because of those eucalyptus trees that have been planted along the river, we are losing almost five intakes now. Those intakes have water almost two to three months per year and, the rest of the season, they do not have. You are left wondering whether it worth to have all those investment in those intakes, important irrigation and drinking water projects, only to have water three months per year and yet, it is something that we can avoid by not planting eucalyptus trees. This is a very important Bill, and I am happy that it has come at this particular time. As Members of Parliament, we have enhanced our environment kitty. At home, people like being given alternatives. We need to tell our people not to plant eucalyptus trees. It is, therefore, the right time to engage our people constructively. I love the research that Hon. Irene Mayaka has done, and I would really wish that it be shared widely. Even the examples she has given of countries that have dealt with this matter of eucalyptus trees... As we engage, we should do so from a factual point, a point of knowledge, and a point where we can show them that it has been done elsewhere and so, it can be done in Kenya too. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support."}]}