Statement on the gazettement of domesticated water buffalo as a food animal

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma is seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding the gazettement of domesticated water buffalo as a food animal.

In the Statement, the Committee should provide justification for the declaration of domesticated water buffalo as a food animal by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development through Gazette Notice No. 977 of 31st January, 2025.

The Senator Wakoli led committee has also been tasked to state whether due process was followed in declaring the animal as a food animal, whether the declaration was based on statistical data supporting the classification of the water buffalo as a food-source animal and whether the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development facilitated public participation on the matter.

Senator Mumma further wants the committee to provide details on the involvement of the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) in research leading to the declaration, disclosing the period and findings of the research as well as the participating farms and report on the availability of sustainable supply of domesticated water buffalo in Kenya, stating their current population and the projected annual population growth.

Finally, the committee is expected to explain the economic viability of the animal as a local food source and its potential contribution to Kenya's food security and the broader national economy.

Separately, Mumma has sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the alarming crisis of drugs and alcohol abuse, particularly among the youth in learning institutions.

In the statement, the committee should outline the measures the government is taking to combat the growing prevalence of drug peddling and consumption, particularly the easy availability of ethanol and other illicit substances within universities and other learning institutions.

The committee has further been asked to provide a clear action plan, including timelines for removing bars and drug dens located near learning institutions, identifying arresting and prosecuting drug barons who exploit vulnerable and impoverished youth, including students, to distribute drugs in schools and tertiary institutions, and imposing stricter penalties for non-compliance with regulations aimed at curbing drug abuse near learning institutions.

The lawmaker is also seeking an explanation on the role of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in ensuring that all stakeholders including students, school administrators, parents and guardians are aware of these concerns and actively work together to address them.