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{
    "id": 1192737,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1192737/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 85,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Likoni, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mishi Mboko",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I will talk about handicraft. I come from Mombasa County, where we have a small industry by the Akamba Community. We call it the Akamba Handicraft Industry. They have employed several Kenyans in that small industry although they do not have financial access so as to strengthen it to employ more Kenyans. When we talk about painting, we see that Kenyans do many colourful artworks that display our traditions and many other issues. This is an area where if more funds are put in, people can create employment. I agree it is important that we take 2 per cent of the NG-CDF and give it to the youths through training. As MPs, we have created the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, where our youths acquire several artisanal skills. Artisans have experienced many challenges—one of them being the globalisation of products. They encounter a lot of competition in pricing because Kenya has also been one of the countries where the developed world dump their cheap products. Hon. Speaker if we do not emphasise on the concept of “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya”, we will not reduce the big burden of importation. Where I come from, some youths have ventured into the filming industry but they do not have funding. This is a problem. Because the NG- CDF does not cater for social programmes, it becomes very difficult for us to promote them. The other issue is lack of markets. We have come up with different products. Do we have markets? The answer is no. We do not have even the local market. As Kenyans, we need to start embracing our products that have been innovated by our youths. That is the only way we can ensure that our products have market. The other issue is protection of copyright and patent rights of our products. The kiondo is made by the Akamba community. Today there are so many other communities innovating the kiondo and maybe taking its patent rights yet it comes from the Akamba community . Promoting our artisanal works is also a way of ensuring that our cultures are upheld. The Maasai community have their bracelets, earrings and many other things, including drums. These products can create employment and generate income for our country if we put more funds into their production. This area can greatly reduce our import costs, which are in excess of Ksh2 billion. This might look like something small. If we just think outside the box, maybe it can even save the Kenya Kwanza Government agenda of creating employment. We should realise that this is an area in which they need to put more funding. There must be special funding and structures to ensure that this funding trickles down to the grassroot level. In my constituency right now, I have the Susumila and the Chikuzee, who are good musicians. Where are they? They do not have any fortune because they are not recognised. They do not have finances. So, they are just there singing during campaigns."
}