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{
    "id": 1272535,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1272535/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 332,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kieni, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Antony Wainaina",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Kenya has to refocus on the East African Community. I was in this country when one Kenya Shilling was exchanged at 36 Uganda Shillings. Currently, it is at 16 Uganda Shillings. The Tanzanian Shilling used to trade at 26 Shillings to the Kenya Shilling. The exchange rate has shown that other countries’ economies are developing. The Tanzanian currency is exchanged at 15 Shillings to the Kenya Shilling, while the Uganda Shilling is below 20 Uganda Shillings. That means that other African economies are growing, but ours is not. The late President Kibaki started the newly refurbished East African Community in conjunction with President Yoweri Museveni and President Jakaya Kikwete. The agreement was that for these countries to come to our level of development and trade area, we develop a free trade area where Kenya was to accept all goods from Uganda and Tanzania tax-free, but Kenyan goods going to Uganda and Tanzania were to be taxed. The agreement was for five years. After five years, our goods are still taxed as if there was no window for them to develop their industries, grow their economies, and grow to our level so that free trade could go on. I implore the Committee on Regional Integration to look into the matter so that the same is not extended to others so that when the Democratic Republic of Congo brings us wood and other products duty-free, we can also export our goods. I thank the Committee that developed this programme, enabling us to see what happens between our good neighbours and us. It is not hidden that our treasure in Kenya is our human resources. I wish Kenya put much effort in exporting skilled labour to the other countries. If our labour is accepted in Europe and America, we can export it to our neighbours and ensure it is paid for. For Kenya to move on, I support the Motion and thank its developers. Thank you very much."
}