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{
    "id": 1556490,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556490/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 148,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "cheered during the inauguration of Ghana’s new president. I felt excited just like many people, until after doing further research into the situation in Burkina Faso. I challenge Sen. Ledama to do the same, perhaps to countercheck the things he reads online against the reality on the ground as Kenyans often say. I was shocked to learn the hype and the narratives circulating about what is being done. First, I am not a fan of coups. I firmly believe in democracy and strongly hold that Africa would progress far better with fewer coups and more transitions through the ballot rather than by the power of the bullet. For that reason, I am not a big fan of that gentleman. More importantly, the reason why the military led by him took over Burkina Faso, was their claim that the country faced significant security challenges. They argued that terrorists were ravaging the nation, killing people and causing all the challenges. Sen. Ledama, you need to verify this because, from my research, it appears that since they took power, the situation has not improved. As we know, wars are incredibly costly. Just look at what is happening to the gentleman in Ukraine, how he is being embarrassed and the criticisms he faces. Wars are extremely expensive. If you do not have a sustainable way to fund them, it is better not to start them. The unfortunate situation in that country highlights the need for us to better understand our continent. While they are not part of the Great Lakes region, this example underscores the challenges we face across Africa. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power by the bullet, the country has reportedly lost 40 per cent more territory to the terrorists who were already ravaging the population. It is easy to come across information online, on platforms like TikTok, where people claim certain things are happening. However, it is crucial to conduct further research. This is the unfortunate reality with Africa. That is part of what this report highlights. That parliamentarians in African nations often have limited knowledge about their continent. Additionally, as Sen. Ledama rightly pointed out, the challenges of travel within this continent remain a significant issue. You may recall that in 2023, President William Ruto flagged off the first consignment of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) arrangement just outside here, next to Parliament at KICC. These goods were intended for sale in other African countries. However, it took three months for the goods to travel from Nairobi to Accra, Ghana, due to significant challenges such as logistical issues, conflicts at border points, poor road networks and inadequate infrastructure. These are some of the serious challenges that this continent continues to face. Unless we, as leaders serving in parliament, recognize that almost all governments and institutions on the continent have their budgets drawn in their parliaments, we will miss the opportunity to make conscious decisions that enhance our countries' competitiveness. We must think beyond simply passing the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) and claiming we have fulfilled our duty as the Senate of the Republic of Kenya. It is essential to consider how we can open up markets for farmers. That is why we must appreciate President Trump's tariffs as a wake-up call for us to take action. We do not need to struggle to access markets if we focus on enabling trade 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."
}