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"id": 1566500,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566500/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. Allow me to make a few comments on the Cooperatives Bill (National Assembly Bill No.7 of 2024). This is significant, as cooperatives are devolved. I expected this Bill to originate from the Senate. However, as long as we are moving in the same direction, that is accepted. I also hope that in the future, we will ensure the fast-tracking of both the National Assembly and Senate Bills. The cooperative movement in this country originated in 1908 with the formation of dairy sectors by white settlers. In Africa, it is referred as “ harambee ”, “ ujamaa ” and in some cases, coming together to pool resources. Many of us are able to make even small investments because of the cooperative societies we run. I speak as a former Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary SACCO and also as a Director of the Parliamentary SACCO or PACOSO, as it is commonly called. From the way Members have spoken, I can affirm that the support of SACCOs in this country is critical. Even as Members of Parliament (MPs), we have our own SACCOs, including Bunge SACCO. There are other SACCOs such as Police and Teachers’ SACCOs. Cooperatives assists many of the investments we see, including ownership of small ventures. Even some of the small projects we undertake are made possible through SACCOs. This means we must pool resources. Speaking as a farmer, the cooperative movement must be revived. I am happy that the current Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, he should push to ensure we have more resources to revive and establish most cooperative societies. We come from a farming community, where we need these cooperatives to provide farmers with opportunities. This will ensure that they have access to the support they need. When you examine this Bill, you will notice that it attempts to address key issues such as registration, regulation, supervision, standardization and even the liquidation process of most cooperative societies. However, cooperative societies in this country face many challenges. I fully agree that we must prevent them from collapsing due to poor leadership, weak governance, and corruption, which continues to hinder progress. Look at the coffee and dairy sector, what led to the downfall of the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC)? What happened to the coffee cooperatives? What caused the collapse of most cooperatives? We now have boda boda and matatu Saccos. In Nandi County, we have a number of boda boda Saccos emerging. We also have dairy cooperatives such as Lelchego, Tanki, and Kabiyet Dairies. There are number of cooperatives, such as Ipsile Coffee Cooperative, Kabunyeria Farmers cooperatives, among others in Taunet and Aldai. Therefore, as we move forward as a country, we must pool resources together for the benefit of all. Mr. Temporary Speaker, you may recall that this morning during the talkshow on"
}