Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1008356,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1008356/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 314,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mwea, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Josphat Kabinga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13441,
        "legal_name": "Josphat Kabinga Wachira",
        "slug": "josphat-kabinga-wachira-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the Refugees Bill. From the outset, I want to state that I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security. We visited most of our refugee camps for us to come up with these proposals. The effort to repeal Cap.173 that governs refugees in our country started in the 11th Parliament. A lot of work was done and we relied on that effort to improve on what we have. As we are all aware, Kenya is the epicentre of peace in East and Central Africa. This means that we are a host of a number of refugees in this region. It is important that this country adopts the best of the Bills to govern the affairs of refugees. We want to lead as an example. We want to ensure that as we host refugees, they become a resource and not a problem in this country. This Bill proposes integration of refugees into the host communities. We should not look at refugees as people living in secluded areas, but as people who can contribute immensely to the economy of this country. It is important that we come up with a Bill that enables them to participate in the development agenda of our country. We are also aware that, as we host them, some of the neighbouring countries they come from are stabilising and we want to come up with a smooth way of voluntary repatriation of refugees. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is important that we develop an online system to help us track down the movements of refugees even as we allow integration into the community. When we visited some of these areas, we noticed that some refugees were holding Kenyan citizens’ identification cards (IDs) as well as refugee cards. This is something that can be sorted out once we streamline our systems and ensure that records are well kept. We are looking at establishing relevant institutions that will help in the management of refugee affairs. We can learn from past experiences and ensure that management is streamlined. We also want to address some of the conflicts between refuges and communities. It is important for this House to note that in some instances, refuges have been perceived to live better than the communities around them. This has caused tension between them and the communities. Therefore, it is important that as we look at the welfare of refugees, we also look at that of the communities living around them to ensure that the conflicts are resolved. A number of bodies are being formed including the appeals body, so that it will no longer be one person making decisions on refugees. The bodies will continuously review processes that govern refugees in this country through a committee. The Bill proposes a committee to continuously review policies that govern refugees in this country. Therefore, I support."
}