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"id": 197958,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/197958/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. M'Mithiaru",
"speaker_title": "The Member for Igembe North",
"speaker": {
"id": 72,
"legal_name": "Ntoitha M'mithiaru",
"slug": "ntoitha-mmithiaru"
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. My name is Mr. Ntoitha M'Mithiaru, the Member of Parliament for Igembe North, formerly Ntonyiri Constituency. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me add my voice in support of the Presidential Speech and, more so, the areas that he covered. He talked about the National Accord which he and hon. Raila signed. That was a sign that Kenyans cannot forget and, more so, when we realise that when both gentlemen went to the polls, they did not do so, so that, later on, they can sign an accord. They were both going to win and form a government. But that did not materialise. During the violence that followed later on, we saw Kenyans being displaced, people killing one another, looting of property and whatever else that ensued. I congratulate His Excellency the President and the Premier-designate for the love they showed for this country. Through the facilitation by eminent persons, they came together and signed the Accord. We should have seen and read the mood of Kenyans on the eve of 28th February, 2008. There was joy and jubilation all over the country and a sigh of relief reigned. That was the first step towards healing and reconciliation. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the President, in his Speech, talked about hon. Members of Parliament becoming the ambassadors of peace. I would like to echo that call. If all Members of Parliament, with the vigour that we exhibited during the campaign period, went round our constituencies this time round not looking for votes, but preaching peace and how people should live together, there would be peace. If Members of Parliament went round, this time not using the language of hate, but talking about peace and using a language that does not intone that one is against the other, peace will be restored. If Members of Parliament went round the country, cris-crossing the constituencies, from both perceived political divides, Kenyans would see the togetherness in them and the peace and reconciliation that we are yearning for will come faster than expected. Mr. Speaker, Sir, His Excellency the President, the Prime Minister-designate and the Vice- President traversed this country campaigning. If the three of them could again cris-cross the country with that same vigour and preach to Kenyans the gospel of peace and co-existence, we will see peace and reconciliation faster than expected. That way, we will see farmers going back to their farms. We will also see the businesses that have been looted being reconstructed and people living in peace with one another. I speak that way because I come from a constituency where my March 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 111 constituents are very mobile. They are all over Kenya trying to sell a crop called miraa . When violence struck this country, we suffered most. They could not contain themselves in Mombasa because their businesses and kiosks were burnt. Their vehicles were also burnt. They were not able to live in Kisumu. They actually had to run away. Some of them were killed in Bomet when they were trying to run away from the clashes. The same happened in Eldoret. So, if peace is preached, I would be very happy. As a representative of my constituents, I will now tell them: \"There is now peace in Kenya. Go and sell miraa all over the country so that you can develop.\" Mr. Speaker, Sir, turning to the other phase of the Presidential Speech, he addressed the informal sector. He talked about poverty eradication and job creation. I will now talk from a point of authority. I am trained in the area of micro-finance and especially, in the micro and small enterprises. That is the sector which has received what we can call scarce policy attention previously. I am glad that the President, in his Speech, talked about the Micro-Finance Act which was enacted last year, but it is yet to have a commencement date. The sooner the Minister concerned announces the commencement date for that Act, the better for that sector in Kenya. That sector had been ignored by the banks. It had been categorized as un-credit worthy and all that. It is only the micro-finance Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that came to the rescue when it came to the provision of finances. Those micro-finance NGOs cannot be sustained because they do not have an insatiable source of funds. But with the enactment of the Micro-Finance Act, the institutions will be allowed to accept deposits locally. That way, there will now be a pool of sustainability as far as the source of funds is concerned. I would like that to be done faster because the banks which have not been paying attention to the micro and small enterprises, are now turning attention to them. Today, if you go to any small market, you will find the mushrooming of branches of many banks like Barclays Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank and many others. That is because they are scared of the new Act that has come to give power to the micro-enterprises. If that Act is not given a commencement date as soon as possible, then there will not be a level playing ground. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other area where I would like to commend the Presidential Speech is on the Savings and Credit Bill. I would like to say that I had an opportunity of being the Chair of the Task Force that was drafting the SACCO Regulatory Bill. I would like to say the following. If this country has really to get out of poverty, especially where the less-privileged Kenyans will get access to what we call affordable credit, the SACCOs are the avenues today. I would urge Members of Parliament that, when this Bill comes to the House, they should attend to it expeditiously. That is because it will bring sanity and prudent management in the SACCOs in this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the issue of the youth, we know for sure that 70 per cent of the Kenyan workforce fall in the youth category. I was delighted when His Excellency the President said that those recruited in the National Youth Service could be absorbed in the Armed Forces. But I would also wish to add my voice to a previous speaker who said that when that is done, let the geographical distribution be considered so that we do not have, maybe, areas where certain communities will not have people in the Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other issue concerns the youth. Many policy documents are going to be rolled out. One of them, from the Presidential Address, will be on the establishment of a Technical Industrial Vocation and Entrepreneurial Training Authority (TIVETA). There was also a proposal on a National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation. If we want to create jobs, \"innovation\" is the word. For those who are in business, they must have innovative minds to create businesses, have them thrive and expand them. That is a policy document that will embrace and pay attention to the small businesses that will come up. Mr. Speaker, Sir, without repeating what my friend said, I want to pay tribute to the area where His Excellency the President talked about the issue of local authorities. He said that mayors 112 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 12, 2008 and county council chairmen will be elected directly by the electorate. The acrimony that we have seen, especially when it comes to the election of mayors, really calls for the---"
}