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{
    "id": 422111,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/422111/?format=api",
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    "content": "It is as a result of their guidance and support that Ms. Nyong’o was able to achieve what she has achieved. She has made the family very proud. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Lupita Nyong’o is a role model that the youth of this country need to emulate. She managed to compete with international competitors. When she was giving her address, she was almost in tears because she thought she was not going to win. I really feel that as a Senate and as leaders of this country, there are many Lupita Nyong’os out there, but as a country, we have not done much to ensure that the youth, women, people living with disability and marginalized communities are able to achieve their objectives, articulate and realize their talents. We have a very good provision in the Constitution which we passed recently that if we take seriously, we will be able to uplift or give opportunity to the youth and women in this country. If I may quote Article 21(3) of the Constitution which obligates state organs and public officers to address the needs of vulnerable groups within the society including women, all the members of the society, persons with disability, children, youth, minority groups or marginalized communities and members of particular ethnic, religion or cultural communities. This is a very good provision but naturally as Kenyans, we have enacted legislation and even the Constitution but the unfortunate bit is that in as much as we have these provisions, we do not actually address the real concerns of our communities especially the youth who constitute the largest percentage of our country. We also have women and persons living with disability who should be assisted so that they can realize the benefits of the provisions of this Constitution and various policies of the Government. The second article is Article 55(c) which obligates the state to take measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that the youth have the opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life. These are very good provisions that if implemented, will change this country. It is really important to also recognize the congratulatory message sent by His Excellency the President where he promised to establish film academies. It is important for this gesture to be passed down up to the county level to ensure that we have these academies because we have so many youth in our country who are unable to actualize their talents. Therefore, I feel it is important for us to take this very seriously. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other point is with regard to the Government directive that 30 per cent of procurement opportunities should be given to women, youth and people living with disabilities. These are very good policies given by the President but if you go on the ground right now and audit what the county governments are doing, none of those individuals or groups of individuals are really benefitting from this policy. It is important as leaders that we follow up these issues to make sure that as a Senate, since we are the ones who should oversee the work of the county government, to ensure that these policies are implemented. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}