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{
    "id": 1545586,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1545586/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 141,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Veronica Maina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Statement that has been brought to this House by Sen. Mohamed Said Chute, the Senator for Marsabit County, on the foreign nationals working in Kenya's informal business sector. At the onset, it is important to note that Kenya has an open visa issuance system, where it has encouraged many visitors from different countries from the neighbourhood and within the African Continent to visit our nation. However, the number of foreign nationals working in the informal business sector has fundamentally increased. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you are aware, every county and the national government is grappling with how to create jobs for the young people within the Republic of Kenya. We have jobs like saloon, hawking and small-scale enterprises being done by foreign nationals. In a very ideal situation, even foreigners should help to grow the economy. However, there is a balance that needs to be struck and a framework developed. If foreign nationals are allowed to work here, then they should fall within the legal framework that is set by the nation. Why do I say so? If you track down Kenyans who are in the neighbouring countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Congo or South Africa, every jurisdiction and nation is pushing that rules on immigration are implemented. The Kenyans in South Africa would have to make certain applications to be allowed to work within South Africa. Until we have developed a framework within the African Union (AU) that enables the nationals to crisscross the countries, remove the boundaries and make a system like what we have as a Schengen Visa, it becomes very difficult when one country has opened its boundaries and the rest of the countries around that nation have equally not opened those boundaries and allowed the nationals to work. The request by Sen. Mohamed Said Chute is that we take stock of the number of foreigners who are working, the target being in the Kenya's informal business sector where the Kenyans should first be given priority. We need to take stock and see whether we are having a proper balance of trade between our nation and other nations. The way other nationals come here and work in the business sector in the small-scale businesses, are Kenyans able to work the same way? For instance, in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Sudan, Egypt and across the continent and the seas in Europe and the United States of America (USA), are they able to work like that? You will find every nation has its own structure and systems. I support this Statement, especially because we must ensure that our young people who are looking for jobs and opportunities within the small-scale business enterprises and the macro-economy sector are not cut off by the foreign nationals that have to work. I support this Statement that the Cabinet Secretary should come and account to the House on the number of foreign nationals who could be working within Kenya and the existing labour and immigration policies that need to be implemented. That data 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."
}