Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1046289,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1046289/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I stand to second the Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 11 of 2020). I thank and congratulate Sen. (Dr.) Zani for bringing these amendments to the Co-operative Societies Act of 1997. It is worth noting that the operating Act governing co-operative societies in this country was passed more than 13 years before the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. In effect, that means that although the cooperative societies are a devolved function according to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the enabling legislation is a lot older than the reality of the operations of the cooperative societies in the counties. It is important to note what Sen. (Dr.) Zani has just told this House, that, cooperative societies hold more than Kshs700 million in loan portfolio and more than one trillion Kenyan shillings in asset base. That alone, puts an obligation on governors and leaders in this country to ensure that the cooperative movement does not collapse because if it does, it will go down with a lot of wealth and resources that belong to the people of this country. This Amendment Bill is long overdue. It should have happened a long time ago. It is good that Sen. (Dr.) Zani has brought this Bill to the House because it now aligns the cooperative movement with the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The importance of cooperatives and societies cannot be gainsaid in terms of the role that they play in ensuring economic growth and development of our country. This Bill proposes that the apex societies be managed by the National Government. That does not need belaboring because by their very nature, apex societies are national in terms of both interest and location. It will therefore present a nightmare for any particular county to be said to be managing apex societies. I am particularly impressed by Clause 7 of the Bill which seeks to amend Section 6 of the Co-operative Societies Act (No12 of 1997) which provides for the refusal to register a co-operative society. I am impressed by that provision because where there is no order, it becomes a fertile ground for anarchy and for people to do things in ways and manners that are whimsical so that when individuals begin to give character to the society as opposed to individuals fitting into a structure. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, that provision is timely because it provides for details of registration of societies, refusal to register societies, decisions to suspend registration of societies, decision to cancel registration of societies and most importantly, a mechanism for appeal on whatever decision is taken on whether to register or not and to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}