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{
    "id": 1524235,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1524235/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Rarieda, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. With your kind indulgence, let me piggy ride on this one briefly. Hon. Speaker, in your absence yesterday, I said in this House that in the last 48 hours, I lost five of my constituents to mining activities in Rarieda. They were five women who were going about their business, the youngest of them being only 27 years, and also, a graduate. I, therefore, think that the issue of mining is important to address but it is important to address from my perspective in three ways. One is the importance of publishing the various mining licences that have been issued throughout the country. I do not think there has been an occasion when, even as elected representatives, we are made aware of the holders of those licences. Even in my constituency, I am aware that in the county, some people have been issued with those licences. It is only that we do not know them. Secondly, it is important for the Committee to capture the intersection in terms of the mandate. When I enquired from the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, I was informed that there is a part of the mandate that has been ceded to the counties. I am not sure whether the counties are aware or clear in terms of the regulation. As a result, the citizens are left at that intersection without clarity. In my view, the most important thing in terms of mining is that you may not stop citizens from being involved in mining, especially artisanal mining because they need money. Many of them do not have jobs or alternative sources of income and so they must be allowed to do artisanal mining. What is important is its safety and regulations. That safety needs to be provided by both the national Government and the county governments. I urge the Committee to explore that area in their engagement with the Department for Mining to see how it can improve the security, even if it means providing security by counties or the national Government to regulate the mining area, fence it off and stop people from going to the dangerous areas. That is what we need to do. I support the Statement and I urge that the Committee looks into it with expedition. Thank you."
}