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{
    "id": 1556491,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556491/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 149,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "among Africans. Half of the goods we export often return to the continent at a significantly higher cost. For instance, Lipton tea, which leaves Kericho at US$2, arrives back in Accra processed at facilities in France or the Netherlands, priced at US$4 or even US$6. This happens within the same continent, but through intermediaries based in other continents that are better organized. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, until we begin to follow through on the recommendations of such reports, we continue to make a mockery of the citizens we lead and the time spent in these conferences. These discussions often revolve around the challenges we face and the steps we must take to improve our continent. Yet, the solutions lie within ourselves. If Africa were to trade more among itself, we would gain greater respect. We would eliminate the need to borrow the kind of money we currently borrow to run our economies. This is money that we are losing out. Africa is a continent of the future. I want to appreciate the legislators who met last weekend. Unfortunately, I could not participate due to prior arrangements. I do not know why Sen. Ledama informed me just hours before the event. Nevertheless, I will not miss the next one. I kindly plead to be invited in advance as these discussions are crucial for the future. Our role in them, particularly on significant matters such as climate change, which is addressed in this document, is critical. It is only when we begin to engage in meaningful conversations among ourselves, at least at the leadership level, that we can address some very basic questions. Why are we unable to ratify even the simplest of proposals within the East African Community? Why does it still cost me nearly Kshs100 to call a fellow East African in Tanzania, yet the telecommunications companies owning these networks are shareholders in each other? For instance, Vodacom on one side owns 40 per cent of Safaricom on this side. Why are we making it so difficult for people to communicating? The least you can do is checking in on a friend? It is really unfortunate that after these conferences, perhaps, this Parliament is a well-well of resources and well thought-out reports such as this that have accumulated from 1963 with very good ideas. In fact, we do not need to travel anymore. We just need to go the Parliament Library, which unfortunately 90 per cent of legislators in this House do not even know where it is. We should go there and check reports that have been brought to this House from such conferences for years gone by since the First to the Thirteenth Parliament that we are sitting in today."
}