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{
    "id": 1559999,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559999/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 990,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Teso South, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Emaase",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Bill. From the onset, I support the Treaty-making and Ratification (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024. It is very timely and important. Firstly, it gives Parliament the opportunity to represent and protect the people of Kenya by allowing the National Assembly to scrutinise a treaty before it is approved. We know that all treaties that are signed have some ramifications. They have multifaceted impacts, economically and politically. Echoing what Hon. Oundo has said, sometimes, some agreed- upon treaties have some political implications that can mess up the relationship between nations. This Bill is important because Parliament will have an opportunity to look at the objectives. Do we need this as a country? Will the passing of this treaty increase trade? Will it help the country access new markets? Will it increase investment flow into the country or shall it have other effects in terms of curtailing other policies and laws that directly impact the economy and affect taxes? Clause 5 (a) gives Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise treaties before they are approved. At the same time, the clause recommends timelines within which the House needs to be notified for any changes to be made to any treaty. Clause 5 (a) (ii) provides for seven days within which notification for such a change should be brought to the National Assembly. The other good thing about this Bill is that it gives room for consultations between the National Assembly and the Cabinet Secretary. This is for Parliament to register its reservations. This is further addressed in clause 7 where we can give our reservations as Parliament, with reasons. The Cabinet Secretary must also give an annual report of the status of all treaties. Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is a good Bill and I support."
}