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"id": 195321,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Muriithi",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Industrialization",
"speaker": {
"id": 91,
"legal_name": "Ndiritu Muriithi",
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"content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me begin by congratulating Mr. Midiwo for this very timely Motion. I appreciate the absolute importance of protecting our consumers in order, in fact, to ensure that our economic system works as it should. We must enshrine the idea that the consumer is king. We must also ensure that we protect a broad range of consumer rights. Hon. Members have spoken about the question of protecting consumers from institutions which offer financial services. What happens when insurance companies or financial institutions collapse? This is a key thing for this economy. We have seen, and it is true, that there is proliferation of financial products. It is high time that we looked at the efficacy of these products. We need to ensure that consumers are not exploited in many ways. I think we all accept that it is not possible for the economic system to function if we are not looking at the market side and that is about protecting the consumers. A point has been raised here about the standards of service in the transportation industry. The question of matatus has been raised repeatedly. I am quite certain that, as this law is drafted, April 30, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 771 the issue of quality or standard of service across the board will be looked at so that consumers are not exploited. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in this day and age, we do expect that, for example, public transport is scheduled, so that consumers do not go on the road and wait without an idea whatsoever when they will actually find transport to wherever they are going. We do expect that, in fact, the consumers are entitled to a certain level of cleanliness in the public transport that they are using and so on. So, indeed, this is a matter that the proposed law must look at. We need to establish a culture of quality in whatever product or service is brought to a consumer. I am happy to report, for example, that as the Government - you will have seen in the public sector--- Today, your local chief has a service charter on how long it will take him or her to meet with citizens and look into their issues and, in fact, maintain records about the quality of service that they are able to provide. So, it is, in fact, quite in order to look at a law that seeks to enshrine and promote high level and quality service in, not just the public sector, but, indeed, also in the private sector. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the issue of exploitation of clients and customers, for example, in the area of health--- Whether or not the generic drugs that are available to consumers are, in fact, of a high level--- A question has been raised about the role of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). I must seek to inform the House that KEBS is, in fact, an institution that looks at standards. Do products conform to a specified standard? That, in itself, does not provide the full protection to a consumer because a trader may promise things in their product that they are not able to deliver. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, so, that is the realm of consumer protection. It is not necessarily the work of KEBS. It is not enabled by the law to deal with consumers directly. That is why it is necessary, for example, for a separate institution or law to look at those issues. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, an issue has also been raised about the use of consumer information. In today's age and with the use of technology, marketers are able to profile consumers' habits and look at the kinds of things that they are buying. There is, therefore, need to protect consumers so that the information about the products is not misused to the detriment of the consumers. This is, in fact, very much in tandem with the work that the Government is doing in the financial services. For example, the House will remember approving or passing a legislation two years ago to assist the financial sector to come up with credit bureaus. Credit bureaus are institutions that essentially use customer information about previous credit history and sell it to financial services providers for use in making credit decisions. Therefore, it is in line with this sort of development where information about the consumer must be handled with due care. There is need for a law to protect the consumer so that, in the event of any infringements, they are able to have a legal remedy. So, we support this Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, an issue about mobile phones and other products has been raised by hon. Members. Those are products that are proliferating in the economy very rapidly. The services that marketers promise the customers must be guaranteed by a law. Again, the issue of standards in services--- For example, how long do you queue when you go to a bank? Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those very many remarks, I wish to conclude by saying that the Government will, in fact, work with the Mover of this Motion to ensure that appropriate legislation is drafted very quickly. It will be brought to this House to enable Members to have an opportunity to contribute, fine-tune it further and shape this very important legislation. This legislation will, indeed, protect our customers and consumers and ensure that our economy, therefore, moves forward. I beg to support."
}