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{
    "id": 1523688,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1523688/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 187,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "they have grown fat. It is not because they have eaten food, but because of the alcohol poison that is being sold in this country. Murang’a County, where you, Madam Temporary Speaker and Sen. Joe Nyutu come from, has also become a victim of this vice. I want to advise him. As he talks about the ills and criticizes the Government on how the country should be run, he should also be pushing for safe and clean alcoholic drinks within Murang’a and across the country. We do not need to have double standards. I am happy that he is talking about how the SHA and the country should run. However, he should not forget that many young people in Murang’a and across the country are suffering because of consuming illicit brews that do not meet acceptable safety standards. We want EABL to be run within the law and regulations. I do not want to say cheap products, but they should produce affordable drinks that do not affect people’s health. On matters of acquisition, I think the CMA should be in place. I am disappointed because all these organisations, including CMA, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) and the Confederation of Protection of Consumers (COFEC) have been given powers. However, we have left the Competition Authority, protection of shares and running of our companies to the big fish to take advantage of the situation. Locally, EABL has employed over 6,000 Kenyans, including employees and distributors. I have seen the proprietor who is also the Deputy Majority Leader and the Senator of Nakuru, here. She understands better the business of selling alcohol and matters of distribution. We want EABL to be run above board, but not also to kill upcoming industries. There is still a market that can be filled. These 6,000 employees also include distributors. I remember the yesteryear billionaires of this country were interestingly EABL distributors. Therefore, this 6,000 workforce must be protected at all costs through the law. We should ensure that we do not sell it to international companies. When you go to Tanzania, for example, when you want to set up a business, the Tanzanian Government will never allow you to have the majority shareholding. You understand because you are a senior counsel in this country. What is the Attorney General (AG) of the Republic of Kenya doing? Where are the company laws? We are very clear that no foreigner should own more than 50 per cent of a locally owned company. It is the law. How do you allow multinational companies to come and buy out companies similar to what is happening in Kericho? Can you believe that some of these tea estates and other estates such as Del Monte, the majority of shareholders are people who live in London, America or other countries? That is why we have problems in compensation and running of these companies. It is very sad. We might say Tanzania is weak economically, but they have a protectionist mechanism. Madam Temporary Speaker, with your indulgence under Standing Order No.1, this free liberal market, yaani Soko huru, is not very good. We should not allow this. I recommend that these two companies; Diageo Kenya and Guinness, which acquired publicly traded shares to be followed. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}