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{
"id": 1379735,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1379735/?format=api",
"text_counter": 131,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Teso South, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Emaase",
"speaker": null,
"content": "at its own discretion decide to open an office in any other location in the country for purposes of efficiency and effective management of its affairs. The Bill also speaks to the composition of the Board. It will have a chairperson appointed by the President. It will have a total membership of nine persons. It also speaks to the qualifications of the members of the Board. Three of them shall have degrees – the chairperson, a nominee of the apex body of the cotton industry and a nominee of the Council of Governors. The remaining six members, who will be representing cotton farmers – one from each region specified in the Second Schedule – will be required to have secondary school education certificates. Clause 8 speaks to the qualifications for appointments to the Board. It also speaks to the tenure of those Board members, which is three years, and what it takes to vacate office. Some of these are standard procedures as per our Constitution. I believe Members have a copy of the Bill. It says that a person shall cease to be a member of the Board if that person is absent without reasonable cause for three consecutive meetings, becomes an officer, an agent or a member of staff of the Board, and many others. This Bill also speaks to the functions of the Board. It says that the Board shall regulate and promote the development of cotton growing and ginning. It will advise the Cabinet Secretary which counties qualify as cotton producing. It shall also make recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary on the implementation of the strategies, plans and policies relating to the cotton sector. The Board shall regulate the importation and exportation of cotton lint and cotton seed. The Bill also provides for marketing of cotton products and by-products in both local and foreign markets. It also speaks to the committee of the board and delegations by the Board. Hon. Members, the Bill further speaks to the appointment of the CEO. A person is qualified for appointment as CEO if he is a Kenyan citizen, holds a degree from a university recognised in Kenya and has, at least, 10 years of experience. I have to mention this because I know it will be of interest to Members. The Bill also speaks to the functions of the CEO. He is the officer responsible for the day to day management of the affairs of the Board; manage the funds; be responsible for management of the staff and the board; oversee and coordinate the implementation of the policies, programmes, objectives of the board, and cause to be prepared for the approval of the board the strategic plan, annual plan, annual budget and audited accounts of the board. The Bill in Part II also speaks to the removal of the CEO from office. Those are standard procedures, and I will not go into details because we go through this every day. If you are bankrupt, liable for gross misconduct, convicted of criminal offense or if you resign in writing and many others. This Bill also speaks to the staff of the board, protection from personal liability, the common seal of the board, signing authority, all letters and instrument written or made by or on behalf of the board shall other than those required by law, be under seal. It speaks to the meetings and when they should be held. Part III of the Bill speaks to the role of the county government, this being a devolved function. That is why this Bill originated from the Senate because county governments will have a bigger role to play. That, each county government shall implement the national Government policy relating to the cotton sector, regulate and promote the development of the cotton industry within the respective county, consider application for certificates, permits and licenses, coordinate the activities of the persons, organisations and any other associations within the cotton industry in the respective county, and facilitate access by players in the cotton industry to such resources and financial support as may be necessary to promote the development of the cotton industry in the respective county. I want to mention something on registration. This is very critical and is in Part V of the Bill. That, a person or entity shall not carry out the business of a cotton grower, cotton ginner, 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"
}