Kenyans have a chance give input on a proposed legislation that seeks to compel the State to provide food to vulnerable persons, including pregnant mothers. The Food Security Bill that is currently before the Senate Committee on Agriculture is now open to public comments before it returns to the Senate for debate. It went through its first reading in the Senate on August 5. The Bill sponsored by Senator Beatrice Elachi says the national and county governments will be required to give out food to Kenyans who are unable to afford or produce it in line with the constitutional requirement that defines food as a right to all citizens. The Bill defines adequate food as the availability of food in quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy the dietary needs of individuals within a given culture. The Bill establishes a Food Security Authority which will co-ordinate the activities and policies of national and county government to ensure that Kenyans dont go to bed hungry. It also puts in place the County Food Security Committees which will, among other roles, issue food eligibility cards to Kenyans who are at risk of food shortage. The Bill defines vulnerable persons who need State help to access food as infants, children, school-going children, pregnant or nursing mothers, the elderly, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, sick persons with chronic diseases such as HIV/Aids, victims of conflict, urban and rural poor. Senator Elachi said if passed, it will help to address the issue of poor distribution of food across the country At the moment, a lot of food is produced in one part of the country but never gets to reach other parts due to the poor distribution systems. Deliberate policies and interventions are needed to change this anomaly that is contributing to food insecurity, she told The Standard yesterday. The Bill classifies essential foodstuffsin the country as maize, beans, wheat, rice, milk, sugar, cooking oil or fat and any other commodity designated by the Cabinet Secretary in consultation with the Food Security Authority. According to the Bill, a person who diverts funds or food meant for the food distribution programme or the food subsidy programme to persons other than the intended beneficiaries faces a Sh5 million fine or not more than 8 years in jail or both. Those who commit procurement irregularities in procuring food meant for hungry facesSh2 million in fines or three years in jail or both.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 01:58:37 +0000
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