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{
    "id": 178265,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/178265/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 25,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Balala",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Tourism",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 9,
        "legal_name": "Najib Mohamed Balala",
        "slug": "najib-balala"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am not aware about the beach operators at the Coast who have been issued with notices to vacate the beaches although I am aware that it is illegal to trade on the beaches. I have, however, indicated that the operators would be required to relocate to a strategically placed tourist market when it is ready in about six months. The deadline is the end of March, 2009. (b) I wish to confirm that the responsibility of relocation is not on the Ministry of Tourism. It is on the Ministry of Local Government. I want to confirm the commitment of the Government that it is working on modalities to provide conducive alternative places for the beach operators to conduct their businesses. Kenya's tourism is fundamental to our economy. It is the main pillar for our Vision 2030. Therefore, we need to use it and protect tourism as much as we can. We have done an inventory of the beach operators at the Coast and there are approximately 2,000 beach operators. I want to confirm that we are committed to helping our fellow Kenyans on the beaches. We received negative publicity on Kenya's tourism, particularly at the Coast, because of bad governance in our local authorities and harassment by beach operators. There are three major categories that are very important and they deserve to be protected. These are: curio dealers, boat operators and some of the safari sellers. The others who claim to be beach operators, idling around the beaches, are dangerous because they peddle drugs and are involved in prostitution. Those are the ones we want to eradicate. I want to assure you that the Government is doing everything possible. We, at the Ministry of Tourism, are helping in the overall responsibility of the Government to purchase 2.5 acres of land in the North Coast to build beach markets. We hope that, very soon, with the collaboration of the private sector, we will have these markets ready and we will relocate the beach operators. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are also identifying road reserves, especially at the beach, where stalls will be put up to help the beach operators so that they can have a livelihood. This is a way of November 26, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3607 creating employment and wealth. Thirdly, we want to protect beach operators at the Coast. At the same time, we also want to protect the Kshs1 billion revenue for the Government. We want to balance the creation of wealth and employment for our people."
}