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{
    "id": 134445,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/134445/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 302,
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    "content": "commerce and industry. I was once the Chairman and tried to reform it. If you try to reform it, you will be taken to courts. There will be several court injunctions and nothing will get moving! I think this is the time that the Minister should take control over the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an organization, come up with a new set of rules with a clear succession process, rather than a political one. A chamber of commerce is not a Jua Kali organization. Let us be clear. If we want to compete in the international trade, let us not think that the Jua Kali operators and mboga sellers will become members of the chamber of commerce, run that organization and move trade forward. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, nowadays, most of the members of the chambers of commerce and trade are people who are serious. There are people who are forced to be members because of the certificates of origin of exports. But the majority who have taken leadership of that organization are briefcase suppliers and people who just hover around to make sure they get connections using that organization. I think the Minister needs to take that head on and face the reality that our competition will only be addressed through a stronger private sector. I always believe that the Government’s efficiency and response can only be supplemented or complemented by a stronger private sector. That is why organizations like the chamber of commerce, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and others should be supported to bring us to the level that they are. They should keep the Government on its toes not necessarily just to poke it, but to be able to contribute positively. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am aware that tomorrow, there will be a Speaker’s Round Table with the private sector at the South Coast. So, this is new thinking. Round Table for Prime Minister. Round Table for Parliament to interact with the private sector. That is really the way forward. We should understand that the engine of economic growth is in the hands of the private sector. It is not in the hands of the Government. The Governments should only be facilitating the private sector to move the economy forward. But, remember, the private sector is made up of people who are purely looking for profits. The Government should not abdicate its role in terms of sensitive issues like infrastructure, health and security. With those few remarks, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to support."
}