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{
    "id": 1424458,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1424458/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 206,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my question is with regard to a very topical issue under his docket. That is the issue of an influx of illegal miners who are taking advantage of our various communities that perhaps do not understand the kind of minerals being traded in. If you had nothing due to poverty and someone shows up at your doorstep to offer you very little resources, you will accept even though they do not meet the legal procedures that are set out. We have passed laws in this House to ensure that individuals who owns land, or if it is communal land, that the community as well as the county, benefits from the resources that are in that particular county. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, various parts of this country have been flagged as red hotspots for illegal miners. What is the government doing about this particular issue to ensure that this industry develops and become a significant contributor to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? It has the potential to help us. Instead of the many battles the administration is trying to acquaint Kenyans with the concept of paying taxes, we can grow this industry to help us reduce our debt exposure and meet our obligations as a government. Illegal miners that are spread across the country, for instance, in Kilgoris, Migori, Tsavo et cetera, are undermining all efforts. What are they doing about that particular issue? Finally, have you strengthened the expertise and the knowledge of our officers in our border points who check on the minerals that leave this country? Someone explained to me that some of these minerals we mentioned cannot be easily traced with naked eye. There is expertise that is needed. Knowing this country and how our fellow countrymen behave, I would not be surprised if somebody would pass even rare-earth in a sack and sign them off as kokoto. It can either be out of ignorance or motivated to look the other way. Therefore, how intense is the scrutiny on the border points where these minerals leave the country? Also, what is the assurance to this House that enough is being done to ensure this country does not lose in the mineral trade that it engages itself in? I thank you."
}