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{
    "id": 1522944,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1522944/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 388,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nambale, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Geoffrey Mulanya",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Gold Processing Bill of 2023. When you mention the word ‘gold’, in the minds of many Kenyans, it sounds like the gateway to riches. In many parts with crude gold mining activities, there is a scramble that sometimes leads to death. It is important that this Bill was brought by Hon. Shinali, a Member representing a constituency that is a gold mine. We thank you for bringing it because you have more experience in what has happened in your constituency. Recently, we almost lost the lives of good Kenyans in those gold mines. As it was said by Hon. Nyikal, who is a health expert, the underlying issues often go unnoticed. In most incidences, we talk about miners being trapped underground, but people forget to talk about the health hazards associated with crude gold mining. It is a legal requirement that anyone on a construction site must put on protective gear. However, without regulations, crude gold miners go underground without any protection whatsoever. As much as they come out of the gold mines alive, they often pick up some chronic diseases that affect them, and they slowly die in their homes. In the Western region, we have observed areas where prospective or crude gold mining is being undertaken. In particular, Hon. Oyula has mentioned that in an area called Bumutiru in Butula Constituency, Busia, that neighbours Nambale Constituency, crude gold mining is taking place. We find that many people abandon their farm work and families for prospective gold mining, only to come back empty-handed. They waste valuable time that could have been spent working on their farms to support their families. They come back with something that cannot even support or feed their families for a week. If that time had been put to proper use by working on their farms, it might have been more meaningful. For that reason, I support the proposal to have the Gold Mining Corporation so that it can bring order to this sector. Let us have a proper geological study to confirm that the prospects of gold is worth the mining. There 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."
}