Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1278537,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1278537/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 256,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tetu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "In this country, we tend to cure all our problems with more laws, which sometimes means we will get better outcomes. The law is as good as those who use and enforce it. It is important that the proposed controller does not become a hindrance to trade by way of harassing traders, hoteliers, farmers, or exporters - which is what we tend to see in this country every time we create a new office. When a new layer of regulation is added, it becomes an extra burden to traders through new levies or taxes. It becomes another avenue for collecting or rent-seeking for those in charge of controlling this item. It is important that the proposed coordinator or controller does not compete with the KEBS, which is already charged with this activity. The coordinator or controller proposed in this Bill should not compete with the KEPHIS, AFA, Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the meat inspectorates in the counties. Otherwise, we would have created a new layer of corruption and bureaucracy that will not serve our customers. This must become a facilitative office to prepare policy and regulation, thus allowing the already existing government agencies in these fields to continue doing their work. We must build the capacity of this proposed office to ensure that we have safe food arriving in our markets for the benefit of our consumers. The new proposed office must ensure that our animals eat the right feeds to avoid contamination or the moving of disease from animals to human beings, as we saw in the case of COVID-19. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I sit in the Public Investment Committee (PIC). In the agriculture sector, we have about 30 organizations created by Parliament, which have not been operationalised because of delays or refusal by the parent ministries to operationalise them. We hope that once the proposed office of the controller is created, funds will be provided for its operationalisation so that Kenyans can get value for money from the office."
}