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{
    "id": 1518668,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1518668/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 133,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Gichugu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gichimu Githinji",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I want to associate myself with the sentiments that have been expressed by previous Members who have contributed to this discussion. This is a crucial Bill that is aimed at professionalising the social workers' sector in our country, which has been somewhat left hanging and disorganised for a while. This Bill offers us the opportunity to weed out quacks within the profession of social workers. We have individuals in this field who are well-trained and possess diplomas, degrees, master's degrees and doctorates. Therefore, the sector needs to be sanitised and professionalised. Like other professions, social work should not depend on the exchequer for funding. It should be self-regulating. The regulations that are necessary for that professionalisation have already been outlined. I believe provisions will be established to ensure that those regulations are implemented, thus allowing the sector to effectively self-regulate. Regarding the regulatory aspect, I intend to propose an amendment, in consultation with the Bill’s sponsor, so that the regulations are developed by the Cabinet Secretary, in consultation with the Council. This will allow the Cabinet Secretary, as defined in the Bill, to have a say in the consultation with the Council, which is the main regulatory body. Furthermore, in consultation with the sponsor of the Bill, it is important to provide a clear definition of the term ‘‘social worker\" as the Bill currently defines \"social work.\" Providing a clear definition of a social worker is critical. Under Clause 5, I will also seek to amend the text by removing subsection (m) to prevent any ambiguity for the institute, ensuring it cannot act outside the provisions already specified in this law. We need to create legislation with clarity and finality, so that any additional requirements and post-enactment can only be established through regulations. The Act itself cannot leave room for anyone or the institute to act as they please. Finally, under Clause 27, as it has been the norm in various professions, I believe that if a certificate has been cancelled or suspended, it should not be necessary for an individual to submit that report to the regulating body. We should maintain a database which shows the status of every member of that institute. This is to ensure that by a click of a button by any citizen, one can know whether someone is qualified and has a valid, suspended or cancelled certificate. This will help us avoid a situation whereby, someone is penalised Ksh500,000 for not submitting a cancelled or suspended certificate to the Council. For example, in the legal profession, you only need to check the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Website to find out whether an advocate is qualified to practice law. That way, it will be very easy to know a genuine practitioner and we will not subject people to unnecessary penalties. Hon. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I support this Bill, but with amendments that I will propose during the Committee of the whole House. Thank you."
}