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{
    "id": 1424537,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1424537/?format=api",
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    "content": "(Hon. Salim Mvurya): Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker and hon. Members. You will allow me to answer the Questions as they have been asked. I made a statement on blue economy, but some of the issues have taken us back to mining. I cannot complain because I am also the Cabinet Secretary for mining. So, I will handle them as they have come, away from what I have presented. The first concern is from hon. (Prof.) Kamar. Thank you very much for the compliments. It has always been my desire to support women, not only in leadership, but also in many other parts of our economy. Concerning the issue of human resource, especially on matters mining, it is true we initially had a very big shortage. However, through the reforms that we had agreed with His Excellency the President, part of it is to increase our visibility and workforce so that our people are not cheated. This is because in areas with copper, for example, some people will be told it is marram. Copper as a major mineral also sits with other minerals like lead, silver, zinc and many others. So, we have already been granted approval to employ 368 new staff. Right now, we have done 167staff. Initially, there were no cars, but we have now purchased 18 cars that are going to be available for our staff on the ground. The same applies to the blue economy. I confirm that we have experts. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) has been very critical in understanding marine life, both in the ocean and inland waters. We are in the progress of upgrading our staff to understand blue economy beyond fisheries so that we move the mentality that blue economy is equal to fisheries. This is something we are working on and also cognizant of the importance of blue economy. That is why it is one of the pillars that His Excellency the President has identified as critical in inspiring the Kenyan economy. Concerning value addition in blue economy and mining, we have a roadmap to ensure that we inspire the mineral sector to value addition and looking at who is in it. That is why I also presented three investors who have already accepted to work with us in the various regions. However, we are also working to isolate strategic minerals to make sure that we subject them to proper value addition and inhibit the export of raw materials out of our country. The other effort is on value addition in blue economy. If you look at the life of the fishermen in the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria and all lakes, you will agree with me that"
}