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{
    "id": 1222963,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1222963/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 62,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dagoretti North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Beatrice Elachi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "see many young people not just within Kitengela but also across the country. We need to spread the EPZ spirit to other areas of the country. I want to appreciate the Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industry, who has started to open up different zones of EPZ. This has encouraged women. As we put up the shades and all that is needed, it is important that women join and tender to be part of the process. Eighty percent of those who work within the EPZ factories are women. We need to also encourage young people to join in large numbers. The EPZs are not just about exporting clothes but, as Mhe. Tandaza has said, it covers all sectors of our economy. Therefore, we have to protect zones that have different minerals within the country. We are talking about the national debt. We need to think about it. When more employment is created under EPZ, we cushion our US Dollar reserves and hence the value of the Kenya Shilling. There is a lot that I need in this country today. This august House is going to change this situation. The National Assembly at the moment is standing firm. It is probably doing even better than the Senate in terms of trying to push forward possible remedies to the current high cost of living. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have noted the many remarks that Members have made. I will need those views during the review of the Act. It is important to also support our local investors. Many of the EPZs are run by international investors. We have a few local investors who are making effort. We must protect them. Yesterday, we talked about debt management. We said we must re-visit the Amendment Bill that was brought here by Hon. Jude Njomo to cushion borrowers from commercial banks by capping the interest rates. This is part of what will help build this country. Kenya is a hub that everyone is looking at. If you look at our neighbouring countries, you see so many challenges facing them. Heavy rainfall is currently affecting people in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi. In Kenya, we have to pray that indeed we are part of the process of helping build the other nations that are going through a lot of difficulties. The EPZs are critical to enhancing our economy and employment but more critically to ensuring that young people are able to put some food on the table. With those few remarks, I beg to reply."
}