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{
"id": 1031820,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1031820/?format=api",
"text_counter": 112,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Kamar",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 33,
"legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
"slug": "margaret-kamar"
},
"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, in 1988, he joined the Kenya Grain Growers Cooperative Union (KGGCU) as Chairman and transformed the institution through the countrywide recruitment of farmers, leading to it being called the giant KGGCU. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in 1992, he successfully contested and became the first Member of Eldoret as a Member of Parliament and served passionately. During his term as a Member of Parliament, he was honoured to serve in the national Government as an Assistant Minister for Trade and Industry in 1998 and thereafter, as an Assistant Minister for Finance from 1999 to 2002. During his service in the Cabinet, among many others, he led the Kenya delegation to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNTAD) in South Africa and the first ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Singapore in 1996. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in 1998, Joel Barmasai was appointed the Chairman of the Postal Corporation, as I mentioned earlier. His deep conviction in the power of knowledge and education led him as a mature person to further his studies while he was working. He got a degree from Brigham University. He also was the longest serving Board Member of Highlands Secondary School, a school I went through. He took over the chairmanship in 1978 from the late President Daniel arap Moi. Mr. Speaker, Sir, while in active politics, he served as a Kenya African National Union (KANU) Secretary General of Uasin Gishu branch and the KANU Chairman of Eldoret East; things that he did with distinction and that is why I must mention. After years of public service, Joel Barmasai retired to his farm, where he revived his love for farming. Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, he continued involvement in public service especially community service. Joel Barmasai will be remembered as an outstanding gentleman full of compassion, integrity, simplicity and selflessness. His impeccable character, trustworthiness, straightforwardness and humility earned him great respect from the people of all walks of life, not only from Uasin Gishu, but also nationally. He served with diligence and education in all positions that he was privileged to hold, particularly in this House as an MP. He was a highly respected Keiyo or Kalanjin elder, and was always called upon as an advisor. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the people of Uasin Gishu County, the House that I serve in, the Senate, and my own behalf, I pass my deepest condolences to the family of the late Joel Barmasai. May God rest his soul in eternal peace! I thank you."
}