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"speaker_name": "Mr. Odoyo",
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"legal_name": "Peter Ochieng Odoyo",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I wish to add my voice to this Bill because there are many farmers who grow cotton in Nyakach. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, since 1981, when the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga May 4, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 969 was removed from the chairmanship of the Cotton Board of Kenya, cotton growing and the cotton industry in this country has continued to decline. Politicisation of that post by the previous Government ensured that cotton matters took a back seat. Time is ripe for us to correct the situation. I sincerely thank Dr. Ojiambo for taking the initiative to bring this very important Bill to the House. As I speak today, Egypt is selling cotton under its own brand name in Europe and other parts of the world. It is using the same River Nile waters we use locally to grow cotton. The cotton industry in Egypt has surpassed many expectations. We have the same type of land with Egypt, and we are using the same source of water for growing the same crop, but we have been unable to put our house in order. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, cotton remains a key ingredient in the economy of any industry. As already mentioned by the Minister for Co-operative Development and Marketing, there was a time when we had textile mills like Nytil Jinja, KICOMI, Nitex, Rivatex and many other important textile mills, which were not only major employers but also contributed to the stability of our youth and this country. There are certain provisions that have been omitted and I would like them included, so that the Bill can be even stronger. The first clause I would like improved is Clause 3(A)(b) on the membership of the Board. I believe that the Minister should be given power to also nominate certain specialists he may deem to be fairly knowledgeable in matters of cotton. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Clause 7(B)(ii) deals with the activities of the Board. Marketing has not been included anywhere in the activities of the Board. A few words like \"promote\", \"attend international bodies\", et cetera, have been used. I believe that the word \"marketing\" should specifically have been used. Unless we are able to create and develop our own market, the focus on production without a market may be limiting at some point. We should be looking for a market not only in Kenya, but well beyond our borders. An example is the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya which undertakes a host of activities that include production and marketing. I believe that element should also be included in this Bill to strengthen the Board, so that it can be fairly active. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, cotton is the basis on which the South American economy came to be. The cotton growing states of the United States of America (USA) are well documented in history, especially, to do with slavery. Africa developed the USA economy through the Africans who were taken to that country to undertake slavery tasks. The main role they played was to develop the cotton industry of the USA. I believe that cotton and textile refer to many emerging and successful economies which grew through successful implementation of good cotton and textile industry. Time is ripe for us to say that the Authority must be vested with the powers and capability to undertake those functions effectively. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Authority should, as much as possible, have a private sector resemblance in its operations at some level. While the Government should have a major stakeholding, it should be given the powers, wherever possible, to operate under the private sector conditions. The time has come for the State Corporations Act to be amended. Even though we may pass this Bill, there are so many limitations in the State Corporations Act that will limit the operations of this Authority to undertake those tasks that are necessary for its success. I would like to request the Minister of State, Office of the President, to bring to this House amendments to the State Corporations Act. Whereas we are appointing a Board and giving it powers, it is then being over-ridden by the State Corporations Act. Unless we harmonise those two elements which allow the Office of the President to intervene, interrupt, interfere, modify and adjust whatever has been passed by Boards, this Bill may not succeed. With those few remarks, I support the Bill. 970 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES May 4, 2006"
}