{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147779","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147777","results":[{"id":1495972,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495972/?format=json","text_counter":357,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Richard Yegon, Member for Bomet East."},{"id":1495973,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495973/?format=json","text_counter":358,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Bomet East, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Richard Yegon","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also contribute on this issue of eucalyptus trees. I want to also congratulate Hon. Irene Mayaka for bringing in this issue. There is a time we talked about those eucalyptus trees, but I think it died off just like that. This time round, we are going to act because when eucalyptus trees are planted along the rivers, they tend to drain a lot of water. They absorb a lot of water, thus making the rivers to dry up. It is high time we enacted serious laws so that areas where eucalyptus trees are planted can be categorised. They need to be put up in the hills, where they do not drain a lot of water like when they are planted alongside the rivers. I have heard people in my area say that when you cut a tree near a river, you will find a lot of water coming out of it, and you can even collect water from it. Therefore, we need serious laws to curtail the issue of planting trees along the rivers. Water gets finished within some few months after the rains. River beds go dry. So, we want to enact serious laws to make sure that this rule is followed. For those people who have planted trees along the rivers, I want to say that when this law is enacted, there should be a mechanism to penalise them. We also need to put stringent measures on those who plant eucalyptus trees along the boundaries with other people. It should be approximately six metres off the boundary. We need to implement stringent measures to ensure that eucalyptus trees are planted at least six meters away from a neighbouring boundary, as they can negatively affect nearby farms by drying them out. I fully support this initiative. Additionally, we must establish robust laws to prevent the planting of eucalyptus trees in inappropriate areas."},{"id":1495974,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495974/?format=json","text_counter":359,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Next is the Member for Kisumu County, Hon. Ruth Odinga."},{"id":1495975,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495975/?format=json","text_counter":360,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kisumu County, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Ruth Odinga","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I support this Bill by Hon. Irene Mayaka. First of all, the eucalyptus tree has a high transpiration rate, which means its taproots extend deep into the ground. When it is planted along the rivers, its roots reach far down, allowing it to absorb water not only from the soil around the river, but also from the river itself. That results in the depletion of water in both areas, thus making it dangerous to plant eucalyptus trees near any waterways."},{"id":1495976,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495976/?format=json","text_counter":361,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kisumu County, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Ruth Odinga","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":1495977,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495977/?format=json","text_counter":362,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"[The Temporary Speaker (Hon (Dr) Rachael Nyamai) left the Chair]"},{"id":1495978,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495978/?format=json","text_counter":363,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"[The Deputy Speaker (Hon. Gladys Boss) took the Chair]"},{"id":1495979,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495979/?format=json","text_counter":364,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kisumu County, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Ruth Odinga","speaker":null,"content":"Secondly, it is so sad that while the Government encourages us to engage in tree planting, the efforts are often indiscriminate. We tend to plant any tree that we come across without proper guidance on which species are suitable and the appropriate locations for their growth. While I do not oppose the planting of eucalyptus trees, it should be done in designated areas. For instance, in forested regions, specific areas can be set aside for such medicinal plants. Countries in West Africa have successfully implemented similar practices where designated areas for planting medicinal plants like eucalyptus are established. It should be given its status as a medicinal plant and be planted in designated areas, where those who want to use it as an herb or for medicinal purposes can cultivate and use it. We should not have it planted in an area where it is going to affect the people around it. Additionally, eucalyptus trees should not be planted in agricultural or inhabited areas, as they compete for vital water resources that are needed by other plants and crops. Their presence can significantly impair the growth of local flora. So, the eucalyptus tree should not be planted in farming areas and habitable areas. It should only be grown in a designated area in a forest. Another point to consider is that the leaves of the eucalyptus tree do not decompose like those of other trees. Instead of breaking down into usable compost, they accumulate over time. I support this Bill as it suggests that eucalyptus trees should not be planted along waterways or in areas that are inhabited by people. Rather, they should be cultivated in designated forested areas for medicinal purposes where they can be grown and used. With those few remarks, I thank Hon. Kagiri and Hon. Mayaka for bringing this important Bill. I support this Bill."},{"id":1495980,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495980/?format=json","text_counter":365,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Deputy Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"The Member for Baringo, Hon. Jematiah Sergon."},{"id":1495981,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495981/?format=json","text_counter":366,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Baringo County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Jematiah Sergon","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank my friend, Hon. Irene Mayaka, for introducing such an important amendment Bill that will enable the Cabinet Secretary to establish regulations to curb the planting of that dangerous and inefficient plant. I come from a naturally dry area, but I have also seen the effects of eucalyptus tree planting in other parts of the county. The consequences of that tree are evident in the drying up of rivers. While While I was growing up, we had flowing rivers where we could swim and graze our fathers' cattle. But now, those rivers have dried up, and the environment is degrading day by day. In her Bill, Hon. Mayaka took the time to educate us about the benefits of eradicating the eucalyptus species. She even defined the harmful species, such as the Eucalyptus globulus, that is commonly known as the blue gum, and is renowned for its water-hungry nature. That tree has the potential to deplete water sources, thus affecting rivers in areas with limited water availability. We primarily depend on rainfall for our agriculture and other needs. Therefore, the planting of eucalyptus species like blue gum, which are used for construction and commercial purposes, poses significant dangers despite their benefits. That tree is likely to harm the environment. This is a resourceful Bill and, therefore, I urge the Cabinet Secretary to take the challenge and come up with proper amendments to regulate the growing of the eucalyptus tree, especially to those individuals who have the penchant to earn an income in ways that harm the environment. I also encourage the Ministry to explore alternative trees that can replace the"}]}