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{
    "id": 1371238,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1371238/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“(1) The management of the Board shall vest in a board of directors consisting of- two persons of the opposite gender, representing smallholder coffee growers nominated by the Council of County Governors.” Part G, talks about representation of coffee farmers. One of the persons is from the largest association of small-scale coffee farmers. Part H, talks about one person nominated by the cooperative society representing the largest number. I note that it is the largest number of the small-scale coffee association, an indication that even when I go back to the relation of our Bottom-Up Manifesto, the Bill has talked about consideration of the small-scale coffee farmers. This is because they are still within the smaller market in terms of scale. The Committee has ensured that they are also factored in as far as their representation is concerned. If we still leave a bigger representation for the large-scale farmers, we continue losing the small-scale farmers who also have families they need to support. This is a business opportunity they need to keep growing. The focus on ensuring the small-scale farmers are part of the Board representation is a big plus in as far as this Bill is concerned. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I urge the Committee to look at Clause 8 of the Bill. It states very clearly that – “A person shall be qualified for appointment as a member of the Board of Directors if that person- (a) holds a degree from a university recognised in Kenya.” As we speak, we know very well that we have high levels of study and there are quite a number of degrees. It would be prudent, wise and much weightier if the Committee would narrow and specify the type of degree one needs to hold if they are going to be appointed as members of this Board. In my opinion, I suggest the Committee to consider a degree holder in the agriculture field because then it becomes much more impactful. The personnel will be able to apply the knowledge and skill that they have gained from the university. Otherwise, we will have people from all types of study sectors that would want to sit in the Board but might not have a deeper understanding as far as the skill and knowledge is needed in agriculture. In Part B, I have some different opinion. It states- “A person shall be qualified for appointment as a member of the board of directors if that person- (b) has three years’ experience in the coffee sector;” Colleagues have stated and talked about when coffee farming started in this country. It was way before some of us were born. I do not understand why this Committee should only talk about some mere three years of experience in the coffee sector when I believe we have people with many more years of experience. That would be much better keeping in mind that we are coming from a place where we had a coffee board which was disbanded. It means then that there were challenges and problems. If we give an opportunity to board members who have little"
}