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{
    "id": 1049708,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1049708/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": ". Many of them are unable to even spell a word without having to use a dictionary or the spellchecker on the computer or phone. We sincerely believe it is time for us to a change the trend. Otherwise, we will have leaders in this country who are unable to read and write. I have had a chance to look at the National Library Service Bill of 2020 and want to make a few comments. First is the actualisation of Article 11(2) on the issue of culture in the Constitution of Kenya. Therefore, it ought to be a repository of all cultural artefacts, our culture and everything that is about Kenya. We must also try to draw a line between the library services and the national archives system that we have such that we are very clear what we relate to. Looking at the Bill, there a number of issues we must address. We have so many libraries in this country, both public, private and semi-public. One of the areas where radicalisation happens and places where you can get wrong materials either detrimental to our children, State security or related facts could be in libraries. I would, therefore, move an amendment at the Committee stage to make it as one of the functions of the library services to license all libraries in this country so that we have a clear list of database of all the libraries and the kind of materials that are stored there. This will help remove the element of plagiarism that seems to be gaining trend in this country. That will also ensure that we keep track on the kind of material that we are looking at. The Fourth Schedule, Part II, Line IV devolves library services to the counties. I join my colleagues to say that Clause 6 which states the membership of the service needs to be changed to ensure that county governments are represented in one way or another. Anything else short of that will make the Bill unconstitutional and, therefore, not meet the requirements of the Constitution. Clauses 24 and 25 give a list of the process of acquiring materials. It is not very clear. How does the service acquire that material, is it by force? Is it by coercion or by voluntary submission? If we submit our materials, how sure are we they are safe and will be referenced accordingly? So, that clause must be redone to ensure that that process is very clear and everybody knows what is to be followed. I like Clause 35. Many times you go to the library, pick a book and find that several pages have been plucked out by lazy students and readers who want to copy word for word. The penalty that has been put here is good and we could consider enhancement of those penalties. As I conclude, it is important that the kind of material available for reading to various age levels should be clearly demarcated and noted. In many places, you go to the library and find that children can access some novels that are beyond their age. It is important to license libraries. We must demarcate the side for adults and young people. As I conclude, it is just a rallying call: Leaders lead by example. Let us be the leaders who lead by example. When you go home as Hon. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}