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{
"id": 1402171,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402171/?format=api",
"text_counter": 240,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
"slug": "murungi-kathuri"
},
"content": " Next is Sen. Nyamu."
},
{
"id": 1402172,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402172/?format=api",
"text_counter": 241,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Nyamu",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bills No.70 of 2023). If we do not condemn and regulate gambling, it might become a menace in our society. Statistics show that Kenya is among nations with the highest number of its young population involved in gambling. We have 89 per cent of our young people gambling, compared to Nigeria at 78 per cent and 74 per cent in South Africa. This Bill is not only timely, but also well thought out. There is a requirement that directors and shareholders have to be Kenyan. I disagree with Sen. Sifuna, who opposes this provision, because we will have a situation where foreigners come to the country, make their investments and carry all the profits back to their countries. If we have Kenyan shareholding, at least some of those proceeds will remain here. We had an example of KFC where they used to import everything, including potatoes, when we have industrious farmers in Kenya, particularly in Nyandarua County where we have good quality potatoes. It was not until we protested on social media that KFC was bound to buy potatoes from Kenya. You can now feel the difference between the previous French fries at KFC and what they have now. A provision of 15 per cent tax from the proceeds of gambling is excellent because we want to generate revenue for our country. Another provision requires that every company carrying out this business should have a license. It should also not involve itself in cheap products to protect our children because they can easily afford cheap products of gambling. There is also another provision where companies will be curtailed from running advertisements during primetime hours when our young people are most active. Another provision is that these companies should have the social responsibility to ensure that our young people are protected. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I support, I challenge our law enforcement agencies to be patriotic and ensure that these laws are enforced on the ground, so that we do not expose our young people to a practice that ends up being a menace at the expense of our future."
},
{
"id": 1402173,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402173/?format=api",
"text_counter": 242,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
"slug": "murungi-kathuri"
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"content": " Sen. Maanzo Daniel, you may proceed."
},
{
"id": 1402174,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402174/?format=api",
"text_counter": 243,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13589,
"legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
"slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, gambling is a worldwide game which has serious effects on gamblers. In fact, it needs to be controlled seriously as suggested by this Bill. I remember in the history of legislation in this country, there have been so many gambling laws and all manner of proposals. Since it is like gaming, when we gamble, then the money should go into one kitty to make sure we support sports in this country. That did not seem to be realized. The law kept on changing. Now, we have a new law to control gambling. Gambling happens in many forms and there are different aspects of licensing. It happens on radio, television and when people make predictions on games. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1402175,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402175/?format=api",
"text_counter": 244,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13589,
"legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
"slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
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"content": "Although people part with so much money, little is won by a few individuals. That gives gamblers an expectation. It has made many young people think that you can easily make money through gambling. People who set up gambling equipment are so keen to make a profit. They are not setting them up to make anyone rich. Therefore, it is addictive like a drug and quite a number of young people and many other gamblers have committed suicide when their expectations are not met through gambling. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, gambling needs to be controlled. There must be provision of information to the people, so that they understand what it is. Gambling also takes form through fellows in the street. You will find gamblers, in the Machakos Country Bus Station when people are travelling all over the country, making people think they can earn some money. However, they end up losing all their fare there. It also ends chaotically and people are beaten up. That is the lowest form of gambling. It is fraudulent activity in certain areas. It also goes to the big companies, which advertise very well. They also do not tell people that in the event of not meeting your expectations, a gamble is a gamble. Many people have looked at it as a way of getting rich, but have been frustrated. Gambling is not just done by the poor. Even the rich gamble themselves into bankruptcy. You can see the experiences in different counties. In the United States of America (USA), it is done in Las Vegas, Nevada. People gamble till they miss their flights. The person is supposed to be boarding in five minutes, but he continues to gamble, misses the flight, ends up in a lot of trouble and finally loses all his money. What is our experience in Kenya? What are we telling our people? There is gambling versus hard work. Hard work must always remain as the main source of income and expectation of life. It should not be inculcated without disclaimers that gambling will make you rich and happy. It has to be followed with caution, the same way cigarette packets are. It is clearly written that cigarette smoking is dangerous. We must also cite that gambling is dangerous and it just a game. However, many people do not take is as a game. They take it as a way of earning, and that has not been corrected by the Government. The Bill has come on board originating from Government. Therefore, it should come with controls, warnings and the Government taking responsibility in the event something happens. Therefore, all this money raised in gambling together with paid taxes should be apportioned properly. It is for the promotion of games, which in turn promote talent in the country. Talents make people earn a lot of money. It should also be used to promote sports, so that footballers and sports people can be facilitated with enough facilities. The practice in the past has not been the same. When the monies are raised, it ends up in confusion and being misused by certain individuals. One of the worrying things about this law is that it has come up with a board. I heard information that generally, world over, we are discouraging too many boards. Every other little thing has a board. Boards have become spaces of creation of employment. There has to be a chairman, a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and members of staff. It ends up again to the main Exchequer and many other facilities such as roads end up without funds, while money is being used in a non-profit making venture, which The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1402176,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402176/?format=api",
"text_counter": 245,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13589,
"legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
"slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
},
"content": "depends on the moods of the people. If people do not feel like gambling, then what happens to these boards and their managing directors or the people who are expecting a livelihood out of it? Suppose people are moved by churches to avoid gambling, just like they should avoid drugs, smoking or alcohol. It ends up in the same thing. The general policy in the country should be one of encouraging hard work, such that any monies raised from gaming through guessing and chancing, helps another person build a life through developing a country. Should it be arts, movies or anything that entertains, they all fall within the regime of entertainment. Entertainment is one out of the seven pillars of influence. It is a big time thing which comes in form of sports and many other things which keep young people busy. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in our many years in these Houses and being ranking Members, we have seen a lot of these laws, the push and pull together with the many interest that come with this law. Therefore, I expect that it is going to be of help to Kenyans and it will be of assistance to professions and talent. I will be proposing some amendment to this law before we do the Third Reading. Yesterday, we completed the Third Reading for one law. While I was framing the amendments, I saw it was set for Division today. I wondered whether there is any chance to amend any of the laws coming from the National Assembly. I think we should take it with the caution it deserves, so that we have an opportunity to amend and serve Kenyans better. I thank you. I look forward to getting this law thoroughly amended."
},
{
"id": 1402177,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402177/?format=api",
"text_counter": 246,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
"slug": "murungi-kathuri"
},
"content": " Proceed, Sen. Mumma."
},
{
"id": 1402178,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402178/?format=api",
"text_counter": 247,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mumma",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to speak to this Bill. I wish to state that this is a Bill that is repealing what was there. At the onset, if you look at the Fourth Schedule, the function on betting and gambling is shared. It is both a function of national Government and county governments. I support the fact that we need to have a clear law that regulates what I like to call a vice; gambling and betting, knowing that we have allowed it in the past. It is not something that has just come about, but it needs to be properly controlled. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I support the Bill and do so, I request the Movers to relook at the Bill. In my view, and those of you who have read it will bear me out, this Bill only makes token reference to counties. It establishes an authority, which is a national Government entity and goes on to elaborate who this authority is, what the functions are and to establish the board of the authority together with what the authority can do. When it speaks of the functions of the authority, it talks about controlling, managing and regulating activities relating to this Act. It does not talk about national Government activities. There is confusion. If we pass it as is, and I was the director of the authority, I will believe I have mandate over every gambling center in the country. On Clause 50, there is an attempt to make specific reference to the counties; it is scanty and unclear. Here, we have clear structures for national Government on how to they are going to think through clear boards. At the county level, it simply states: “The county will” in such a way that if we set off with this law as is, the national Government will start working, while the county The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1402179,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402179/?format=api",
"text_counter": 248,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mumma",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "governments will still be saying that it is not clear how they are setting up. Is this a county function or a national Government function? I would request that even as we support this law, when reading this law, always ask our secretariat to call us to check whether it is a shared function of the national Government and county governments, or not. How have we demarcated it, so that it is clear and anybody reading the Bill will understand what betting and gambling in counties look like? Also, it illustrates what national betting and gambling look like. This is a clear indication of what the authority will be doing and what the county teams will be doing. The Bill is not clear on this issue. I would have liked to see that description that distinguishes between what Meru County will be in charge of and what the national Government will be in charge of to a Kenyan who reads this law. In my view, this is not clear. Much as this is necessary, we need to do better in developing laws that make that distinction, but also recognise the intergovernmental shared functions, knowing that devolution is cooperative and consultative. The Bill references that this is the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary when developing regulations. There is no reference to consultation with counties as the Cabinet Secretary drafts the regulations. The proposed law lacks clarity regarding what, who and how the function at the county level will be moved. We must delineate these aspects to avoid any confusion and ensure effective implementation of the law. Additionally, we need to clearly outline areas of intergovernmental cooperation and consultation to make the law more understandable to the general public. I support the Bill with those amendments."
},
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"id": 1402180,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402180/?format=api",
"text_counter": 249,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13590,
"legal_name": "Murungi Kathuri",
"slug": "murungi-kathuri"
},
"content": " Thank you. Sen. Mungatana, proceed."
}
]
}