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{
    "id": 1227534,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227534/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 242,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have artificial constructs by having borders among our countries, to the extent that economic mobility of labour is need based. If anybody does not have a job in a country like ours, they will look for that job from wherever they can. However, some complexity emerges and make it impossible for them. One is the issue of data that my sister, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, has talked about but I want to make it better. When it comes to the issue of labour in this country, the issue of data for decision making very difficult. I want to strengthen the idea of having a robust data that can highlight; one, those people who do not have jobs in the country but are seeking jobs abroad, those who have mismatch in terms of the jobs that we have in the country and are seeking jobs abroad vis-à-vis those who are able to get them and where to get them. In fact, I urge this Committee to consider encouraging the relevant Ministries to make data availability a public thing that can be brought to the media. If we have data on labour that is seeking to work abroad, then, this can be broadcasted broadly, so that people see what is going on in other places. More close this and to my heart, is the idea of complexities around people who work abroad and want their remittances to come to their local households and families, to transform their lives. When people go to work abroad, they do so to change their lives but also more importantly, to solve the needs of their communities down here. One of the reasons why it becomes difficult for labour to be mobile, is when remittance come, they are very expensive to the extent that they cannot do some of the development that they would want to do back at home or help their families. Therefore, the Committee should consider some of the most adventurous ways to innovate and make some our local companies like Safaricom to become global brands. This is because Safaricom has become a serious financial giant in the global financial systems. As a country, we should have a purpose. Countries such as South Korea purposed to make their companies like Samsung global brands. If Safaricom was a global brand, all the remittances that we are getting in terms of billions from families that work outside, will be able to make them in a cheaper way that makes labour have powerful sales to local communities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, lastly, Kenya should start thinking seriously around our immigration laws. When you look at the mobility of labour, one of the problems is the issuance of visa and getting passports. We should be able to make it easier for people who are looking for jobs abroad to get their passports in an easier way. We should consider having free visas for countries that have many opportunities for our people, so that these kinds of bilateral agreements on issues of visas can make it possible for us to invite good talent in the country and to also be able to export any kind of talent to other countries. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with that, I support Sen. (Dr.) Murango and I hope that the Committee will consider some of his ideas and incorporate them in his Statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}