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{
    "id": 1002424,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1002424/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 246,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 171,
        "legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
        "slug": "george-khaniri"
    },
    "content": "among others, that had the themes of love, life, nationalism, patriotism and development. Those of us who grew up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s would understand this. I will excuse Sen. Cheruiyot and Sen. Cherargei because this may sound like Greek to them. For those who were lucky to have the old gramophone, the nostalgic memories can never fade away. A great population born in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s can understand the memories I am talking about. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the death of Mzee Nzenze though painful, should serve as a reminder of the urgency we have as a country to take time and reflect on the status and handling of our history and heritage. That includes the great music compositions and artists. There are a number of issues about performing arts and artists that require urgent action to right the wrongs. One is the issue of royalty, protection of intellectual property, all artists, now media and Government support to musicians. Most of the musicians in our country are living in poverty in their sunset years and even in death they are not assured a descent sendoff. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is unfortunate that the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has failed to live up to its purpose of collecting royalties for and fairly handing over the same to artists. The mismanagement and corruption at MCSK is not only illegal, but also immoral. While this is a simple case of mismanagement that the Government has the mechanism to correct, the concerned Ministry is doing nothing. Surely, if the MCSK, an organization established by musicians for musicians, is the source of their misery, what hope do artists have in this country? Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage should institute measures to preserve our heritage in the form of music and develop policies that will ensure men and women who flew our national flag high internationally are appreciated. The Ministry should sponsor and spearhead the production of documentaries and establish art galleries of these great citizens. While appreciating the efforts by the Senate in the legislation of the County Hall of Fame Bill (Senate Bills No. 39 of 2018), it must be recognized that some of the heroes and heroines of our country deserve national recognition and support today."
}