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{
    "id": 1515118,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1515118/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Eldas, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Adan Keynan",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 41,
        "legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
        "slug": "adan-keynan"
    },
    "content": "are not happy with the appointing authority. It is a way to assist the individual in becoming productive as soon as they take up the role. The world is experiencing a crisis today—the Middle East crisis, the Ukraine and Russia crisis, and the regime change in the US. It is high time that Kenyans appointed to these positions were individuals who could stand the test of time. They should be prepared individuals with the skills and interests of this country at heart and willing to go out of their way to promote this premier nation. You are aware that some of these postings used to be a dumping ground after one failed in all other things. I want to attest that parliamentarians or politicians remain the best all-round ambassadors this country has ever had. You are a witness, and you know it. The fact that you are a politician does not mean you are incompetent or inappropriate. I disagree with those who say that about individuals like Ababu Namwamba and many others who have been politicians. I can tell you that they remain the best ambassadors this country has ever had. Let us support our colleagues. To be a former politician is not a curse. To be a former Cabinet Secretary is also not a curse. However, consultation is also important because you must be prepared for the job. Hon. Speaker, I know you are also a seasoned product of this Ministry. This is one of the things that we should be encouraging because we have opened too many missions. Are these missions contributing to the Republic of Kenya's economic well-being or just expanding our political engagements? Hon. Chairman and colleagues, as a former Chairman of this Committee, one of the things that you should do is go around and find out the economic contribution of some of the missions we have opened. If they were established through political persuasion, we need to close them as soon as possible. If they will add value to our economic growth, then we need to look everywhere: east, west, north and south. That should be our diplomatic engagement. It is one of the things that we have proudly entrenched throughout the years. Finally, this appointment comes at a time when there is much debate on the position of Kenya. Will we join the League of Developing Nations, or will we be competing with ourselves? Over the years, we have been competing with ourselves. Today, if you reflect on Ethiopia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is almost two-thirds of Kenya's GDP. A few years ago, Ethiopia was a struggling economy. A few years ago, Uganda depended on Kenya. Today, Uganda is not our favourite trading partner. Look at Tanzania… What happened to Kenya? We have reduced ourselves to an inward-looking nation that cannot put food, water and other amenities on the table. We need to think of what happens outside Kenya and create opportunities. Many youths are either unemployed or underemployed. They are looking to the leadership to give them opportunities. The opportunities will not come if we are a State that politics from morning to evening. With that, I urge my colleagues to support this Motion. I also urge the President to appoint more politicians to this very important diplomatic engagement. I support these appointments. Thank you."
}