Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1518742,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1518742/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 207,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nakuru Town East, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Gikaria",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "We were asked why we are trying to minimise the wage bill and where we will get funds. We will ask the National Assembly to allocate money for this purpose. The corporation will, of course, have a way of receiving gifts, grants and donations to sustain itself. The Bill includes provisions relating to the application of processing licenses. Currently, if you ask for a license to trade in gold, it will take years to get one, even though it costs only Ksh2,000. You have to be sent from one office to another one. This Bill simplifies that process. I know of a colleague who has been trying to get that license for the last 25 years. He came to my office complaining. We assured him to give us time until this Bill goes through, as it simplifies the process of acquiring a license to trade and/or process gold. My Committee had the opportunity to conduct public participation on the Bill. The Clerk of the National Assembly placed an advert in our local dailies on 20th October 2023, inviting people to submit their memoranda as enshrined in Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Standing Order 127(3)(c). We also invited the State Department for Mining and the National Gender and Equality Commission to present their views. Additionally, the Committee visited Kericho, Kakamega, Migori, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Kwale, where we received oral submissions from the public. We had a very engaging conversation, particularly with artisanal miners who expressed their enthusiasm about the Bill. If passed, they believe it will address many of the challenges that they face. We considered the Bill with a lot of thought and held no fewer than eight meetings before concluding that it should proceed to the Floor of this House. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to visit South Africa, which has a big mining expo, particularly on gold. If you look at how much the gold sector contributes to South Africa’s GDP, you will not believe it. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}