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{
    "id": 1516851,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1516851/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 94,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Sabina Chege",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I am a veteran journalist who happened to have worked with the late Leonard Mambo Mbotela, one of our senior fathers, in broadcasting. He inspired a majority of us when we were young. I was very proud to work closely with him when I joined the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). He was a good mentor and a man who stood with the government during the coup d’état. He offered himself to serve the country. Unfortunately, most senior broadcasting personalities have a difficult life, especially in their old age. I urge the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, especially Hon. Kiarie, whom I know is here, to ensure that, even as we nurture talents amongst our youths, we see how we can care for the elderly. The elderly media personalities entertained us and offered to serve the country when the salaries at KBC were very low. The salaries being paid to journalists working at KBC are still little. The KBC has the best talents. Therefore, we need to allocate more money to KBC. They develop talents amongst young broadcasters, who end up being poached by other media houses. Since KBC serves as a national training ground, I urge the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation to relook at the perks given to staff members there. The staff members at KBC should also have a pension scheme because they earn very little. A majority of the staff do not serve on permanent and pensionable terms. They are called “artists”. They work on a casual basis. Most of them have worked there for 20 to 30 years, but not on a permanent and pensionable basis. That means they may not have saved anything for their old age. They should have a pension scheme. They should be supported and celebrated by the government. They should be awarded Head of State Commendations and recognition because the entertainment and therapy they give in the form of humour helps many people, especially when everybody seems to be upset about everything and nothing. Many things are happening within the country, and the stress levels are high. They work as therapists by bringing us humour and happiness. They also wake up in the morning to inform us of what is happening in the country. Some of them are comedians. We need to take good care of them because they also take good care of our hearts. May the soul of Leonard Mambo Mbotela rest in peace. I hope the government will support his family."
}