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{
    "id": 1350198,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1350198/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 542,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "place proper measures and a legislative framework due to the economic hardships that we are going through, so that we can accommodate investors and also encourage our citizens to benefit from the national lottery. The Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture lauds the efforts of the Presidential Taskforce on the Establishment of the National Lottery, which developed the Gambling Policy, which informed the initiation of the National Lottery Bill. We have observed our President’s determination to transform the country in the last one year by encouraging leaders to engage in opportunities that are open to them. We talked of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) during campaigns. Many people were surprised and they thought we were just talking about it then. One year and a few months down the line, we are talking about coming up with practical things that will touch people’s lives. Anybody at the grassroots level can sit on his bed or sitting room in his home, participate in BETA and transform his life. Our Committee lauds the effort of the Presidential Taskforce because they have done a lot of work. We also laud the President for coming up with the Taskforce to look into the pros and cons of a national lottery and guide the nation accordingly. The Committee noted that jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, South Africa and many other countries in Africa have already enacted legislation on a national lottery. The Leader of the Majority Party mentioned our neighbours Tanzania and Uganda and many other countries, which already have a national lottery. Although Kenyans are ahead in many ways, you sometimes wonder why we are dragging behind when you look at what is happening around. That is why we cannot afford to be left behind. Those countries have grown through proceeds from their national lotteries and many people have supported different activities in their countries. Our thinking, imagination and plan as a country is that proceeds of the national lottery will go towards supporting good causes in the country. Many counties are currently suffering due to floods. Many families have been displaced. Many people have nowhere to lay their heads. Many parents are wondering whether they will be able to send their children back to schools. Our young people, who are very energetic, creative and innovative, engage in various sports in every county. Kenya is known for sports. When you travel outside the country and say that you are a Kenyan, many people remember the good things that we are known for like sports and marathons. We should be proud of ourselves and the things that we accomplish. We will motivate and encourage our youth who engage in sports, arts, and music through proceeds from the national lottery. They want to grow their talents. There are many talented youths where I come from. Others are artists while others engage in sports. Others are eagerly waiting for somebody who can hold their hand and move them from one level of life to another. The national lottery will help our nation to grow, and it will also inspire our young people to grow. It is high time we encouraged our people to take advantage of opportunities out there to grow. The Bill provides for a national lottery that will be operated within the Republic of Kenya, and whose funds shall be used to promote good causes such as charitable causes, which may include providing care and protection for the physically and mentally afflicted, the aged, orphans and vulnerable children. The number of vulnerable people in our society is growing because many people are losing their lives either through accidents or sicknesses, and many children are left orphaned. There are also orphans as a result of ethnic clashes like where I come from. All those children and vulnerable groups need a lot of support from us. Some young people are already drug addicts and need to be rehabilitated. We may not serve our nation well unless we look for funds that can support them and push them to another level. Second, is sports, recreation, the arts, culture and national heritage. I had already mentioned that we have many young, passionate people who have given their all to make our country proud and to progress in different ways. They all need our support. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}