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{
    "id": 1229452,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1229452/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 196,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Saboti, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Caleb Amisi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity to support this ratification of the Agreement Treaty by Parliament. First of all, I want to praise our Chairman for ably representing us and setting the stage for a good debate. I rise to support, as a Committee member, and as a person who believes in defence co-operation between nations that have bilateral ties. Defence co-operation between nations with bilateral ties is a common phenomenon. Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) ties goes back to many years This is not unique because Kenya has had a co-operation before with UK, only that we are saying that this is a better well-choreographed and researched Agreement that is more tying and binding to our country. If I take you through Article 2 of the draft Agreement that identifies the objectives of enhancing bilateral co-operation on defence by identifying framework for exchange of experience, knowledge on the use and mutual benefit of the Republic of Kenya and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, there are areas that were not captured in the previous agreement. I am one of the Members who have had a chance to look at this Agreement in depth and especially, having served in the 12th Parliament. This is one of the Agreements that has passed through two Parliaments. The 12th Parliament looked at it and it is because of its lapse that it has come back again. We looked at it further and identified areas we thought we could cushion Kenya against being taken advantage of. Article 2 highlights agreements to regulate co-operation in areas like security and defence policy, counter piracy, defence administration and peacetime military activities. At a time when the world is becoming more dangerous and even talking about World War III and nations are going after each other, this is a co-operation that will enhance our military because the UK, by virtue of economic power, has a more advanced defence capability which is beneficial to our nation in areas of military exercise, counter-terrorism, military sports, disaster relief, medicine and research. These are areas that Kenya needs to take a keen interest because the world is pumping more resources into education and research in search for more advanced technologies and more knowledge in matters of military capability. When we co-operate, even in areas of research and medicine, it gives us headway to manage our military. The position of Kenya in East Africa as an entry point to the Horn of Africa puts us in a precarious situation in the sense that, apart from just being a security threat, it is also a center of intelligence gathering. We are at risk of espionage and loosing critical information to our enemies. When we have enhanced intelligence sharing as part of this Agreement, it is important to the position of Kenya geo- politically; where Kenya is at a risk of losing the hegemonic power. We have Ethiopia trying to challenge us in our position as a hegemony of the East African region and this is a security threat to the country."
}