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{
    "id": 196578,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/196578/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 104,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Ongoro",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 125,
        "legal_name": "Elizabeth Ongoro Masha",
        "slug": "elizabeth-ongoro"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Accountants Bill. It is very timely that we have such a Bill. In light of the level of corruption that is facing this country, it is extremely important that we have a Bill that controls the way the accountancy profession operates. Secondly, because of the falling professional standards - not just affecting accountants, but most of our professions - it is important that we provide for a law that regulates even the qualifications of our professions. That is why I think this Bill is extremely important. I want to add my voice to that of the hon. Member who raised concerns with Clause 11(13) and Clause 15. The general trend in the Ninth Parliament, and even previous Parliaments, is towards gender mainstreaming. Therefore, for every Committee that is set up, it is important that we address gender concerns, where gender would include both men and women. I would, therefore, urge that this Bill goes to the Committee Stage, where the necessary amendments will be made to take into account gender concerns. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also wish to raise concern with Clause 24(4) of the Bill, which provides for the fixing of the age that a person wishing to be a registered accountant must have. This clause has the potential of discriminating against young persons. I understand that this comes from the side of hon. Members who are not so young. So, I am concerned about the generation of persons in this country who are looking for jobs. Most of our young people finished schooling very early and, therefore, may qualify much earlier than the age we may be anticipating. This clause may force a lot of people to wait for a long time to qualify. If we leave this clause as it is, whoever will make the rules may decide to fix the age at 60 years for one to qualify as an accountant. That might exclude a lot of young people. It has the potential of discriminating April 16, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 515 against young people. It also has a lot of potential of discriminating against older persons, if we put a cap on the upper limit. If you look at other laws that, for instance, regulate other professions, age limit is not provided. Therefore, it is a weird provision, I would say so. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, I would want to comment on Clause 21(1)(b). There is need to amend this paragraph to prescribe a period. We should not leave that to the whims of anybody who may want to provide a period within which a practising certificate should be issued. It should be provided within the Act, and not elsewhere. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}