{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=153920","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=153918","results":[{"id":1557382,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557382/?format=json","text_counter":90,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"ALLEGED COMMITMENT OF TAITA TAVETA COUNTY MINERAL 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":1557383,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557383/?format=json","text_counter":91,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"FIELDS AS COLLATERAL FOR GOVERNMENT LOAN"},{"id":1557384,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557384/?format=json","text_counter":92,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Wundanyi, WDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Danson Mwashako","speaker":null,"content":" Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 43(1), I wish to make a General Statement regarding alleged commitment of Taita Taveta County mineral fields as collateral for a Government loan. I rise to address a matter of grave concern that has recently caused anxiety among the people of Taita Taveta County. The claims, which have been circulating on various social media platforms, are unverified reports alleging that the Government of Kenya has committed the mineral resources of Taita Taveta as collateral to secure a loan from the Government of the People's Republic of China. Those claims have understandably triggered unease, especially considering the long-standing perception that the benefits of mining activities in our county have historically accrued to outsiders, leaving local communities marginalised and deprived of the accruing economic gains. I wish to categorically state, after engaging the relevant authorities and conducting due diligence on the matter, that these allegations are entirely false, baseless, and misleading. I wish to assure the people of Taita Taveta County that we, the elected leaders from the region, have received firm assurances from the Government that no such arrangement has been made, nor is there any intention to do so. As the leaders elected to serve and protect the interests of our people, we remain vigilant and fully committed to ensuring that the natural resources found within Taita Taveta County benefit our people."},{"id":1557385,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557385/?format=json","text_counter":93,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Wundanyi, WDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Danson Mwashako","speaker":null,"content":"The people of Taita Taveta have our guarantee that, on their behalf, we support and will continue to support legitimate investors operating within the framework of our laws and provisions of Article 71 of the Constitution. On behalf of the elected leaders of Taita Taveta County, I wish to categorically affirm that we shall not permit illegal mining activities that contravene the law and the principle of exploitation of natural resources as espoused in Articles 69 and 71 of the Constitution. In collaboration with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, under the stewardship of the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, and our security agencies, we will take firm action against anyone engaging in such unlawful activities."},{"id":1557386,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557386/?format=json","text_counter":94,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Wundanyi, WDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Danson Mwashako","speaker":null,"content":"Finally, I urge the people of Taita Taveta to remain calm and confident in our leadership. We are alert and deeply committed to defending and safeguarding the natural resources that rightfully belong to us and our future generations. May God bless Taita Taveta and the Republic of Kenya."},{"id":1557387,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557387/?format=json","text_counter":95,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Yes, Member for Mwatate. I am sorry. Member for Voi."},{"id":1557388,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557388/?format=json","text_counter":96,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Voi, WDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Khamis Chome","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I also rise to support the Statement by Hon. Mwashako, the Member for Wundanyi. Minerals and other natural resources are the heritage of the people of Taita Taveta County. As such, we take great exception to any insinuations that those resources have been unlawfully utilised as collateral for some loan. I join my colleagues from Taita Taveta in reassuring our people that, as their leaders, we remain vigilant and will not accept any actions from whichever source that aim to jeopardise their heritage and ancestral rights. The people and resources of Taita Taveta County deserve protection and are protected by existing laws. We should be careful as leaders not to make any inflammatory remarks."},{"id":1557389,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557389/?format=json","text_counter":97,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Voi, WDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Khamis Chome","speaker":null,"content":"Finally, most of those minerals are either on community land or privately-owned ranches. Such remarks have raised a lot of concern from landowners in Taita Taveta County. It might be time for the Government to clarify this matter."},{"id":1557390,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557390/?format=json","text_counter":98,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Samwel Chepkonga sent me a message stating that he assigned the Member for Keiyo South to present his request for a Statement. Proceed, Hon. Kimaiyo."},{"id":1557391,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557391/?format=json","text_counter":99,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","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."}]}