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"id": 208546,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/208546/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Poghisio",
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"speaker": {
"id": 202,
"legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
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"content": "Much as my friend, Dr. Mwiria, is beginning to adjust to occupy that front space, it is still very clear that this Motion is not being taken very seriously. The Government should really be here. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we cannot see Vision 2030, which the Government is beginning to drum up support for, and showing us that we need to see that far, if we still have laws like this one in our books. This should be one of the most important laws to be repealed, so that we can actually see far. Vision 2030 envisions a situation where Kenyans are assisted and inspired in the area of trade. That trade must spread all over the country. With this kind of law, we cannot do that. Basically, that is why I am saying that the Government should be here to tell us what kind of laws they are trying to repeal. What kind of laws do they have in mind to remove out of our way, so that we can clearly see Vision 2030. When we have piecemeal amendments like this one brought by hon. Sungu, that shows that the Government has not put its act together, to actually tell us what are those laws. This should be one of the very first one. I want to thank Mr. Sungu for realising that we need to remove things which prohibit or hinder our vision. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you can see, the title of the Act, the Restrictive Trade Practices, Monopolies and Price Control Act (Cap.504 of Kenya), is not good in this time of globalisation. We need to come up with competitive laws. I hope that Mr. Sungu will find an appropriate and current title. I am not sure if the Competition Act is enough. He must give us a title that goes with the times, so that we can replace this old law. All he is asking is the leave of the House, so that we can actually replace this law with something new. This is a very good request; to replace the same with an appropriate law with the aim of reducing monopoly and collusion amongst firms and for matters incidental and connected therewith. That is the business of cartels. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as long as our businesses are run by cartels, this law is coming to destroy colonies and, literally, business giants. That is how business has been done in this country for a long time. We require a change of mind-set. I am glad that some of those cartels are not aware that we want to remove that. It will be difficult for them to do business if we remove it. It is very important to make it difficult for people who have done business the wrong way all their lives, so that they can actually begin to realise that business is meant for all the people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, my friends have talked about monopolies. Examples have been given about firms that are solely doing transport business. In fact, everybody is doing everything. Right now, if you visit some supermarkets, they are selling everything from vegetables to vehicles under the same roof. What happens to the person who is supposed to be selling vegetables? They have made it difficult for anyone to sell vegetables. When I visit a supermarket, I buy everything, including mboga . If you want a used car, you will find it there. You do not have to go very far from there. That is the kind of monopoly that is making it impossible for Kenyans to participate in supplying. We need to develop a supply chain which involves all Kenyans. The law needs to be made stronger. I agree with my colleague that, that law needs to be replaced. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for us to go past business cartels, we need to pass this law very quickly. We need people to understand that, so that we can have a Bill discussed here and passed. I hope that when the Bill is brought here, hon. Members will attend and participate. This is August 15, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3197 very crucial because of where we have come from and where we are going. It is important for hon. Members to begin to look at laws which have, kind of, survived all these years. Let us show that we can actually replace those laws. We are in the business of making laws. We must not continue working under laws which are not progressive. I support the need to go back to our archives, look at what we have and remove some of the things that we do not need. Some of the things that were good in the 1970s are no longer good now. Some of the things that were good when we were a dejure one party system cannot be good now. We must begin to do what Mr. Sungu is doing; remove some of those laws and bring them back so that we can update them. We need to come and brush up some of those laws. We need to repeal others completely. I support that this particular law needs to be repealed. I support my colleague and say that it is important, especially with the focus on Vision 2030, that we begin cleaning up our books and preparing ourselves with the laws of the future. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to support."
}