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{
    "id": 435931,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/435931/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 124,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Nyenze",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1987,
        "legal_name": "Francis Mwanzia Nyenze (Deceased)",
        "slug": "francis-mwanzia-nyenze"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, after 1977, when the former EAC collapsed, a certain political class has always tried to prevent the revival of the EAC for some reasons. We have to resist that move and integrate. Kenya will benefit more than the other member states once we integrate. Every region in the world is integrating and forming economic blocks. There is the European Union (EU), ECOWAS and others. That is the only way to tap markets, engage in trade and develop economically. It is, therefore, in the interests of Kenyans for us to support the three Bills; they are well intentioned. The other Bills that have been brought to this House by EALA have dealt with financial matters. These particular Bills want to integrate the citizens of the EAC. These Bills have good intentions. So, we need to support them. The EAC Cross Border Legal Practice Bill will help this country. Lawyers will not be required to undergo a lot of tedious exercises to practise in neighbouring countries. Legal services will be easily shared within the EAC. It will also eliminate the requirement for lawyers to go through lengthy and expensive licensing procedures. This will also help in standardisation of legal education throughout East Africa. That is why I support the Bill. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Kenya is a giant when it comes to the co- operative sector. We have more co-operative societies registered in Kenya than in any country in Africa. Two hundred and fifty thousand Kenyans directly or indirectly depend on the co-operative movement for their livelihood, economic good and survival. We have 15,000 registered co-operative societies in this country. If you compare that with Tanzania or Rwanda or Uganda, you will find that for every eight million co-operators, Tanzania and Rwanda have only a million each while Uganda has a half a million co- operators. So, when we integrate co-operative services, Kenyan will benefit more because she has a well established co-operative movement. It will be very good for this country. According to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), Kenya alone represents 46 per cent of all co-operative societies members in Africa. If we want to grow our economy, we have to cross our borders and integrate our citizens with those of other countries, so that besides free movement of goods there can be free movement of services and citizens within the EAC. That way, trade will thrive and Kenya’s economy will grow at double digit – the dream the Jubilee Coalition had when they came to power, although it never materialised. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is very good for Members of the National Assembly to support the three Bills and give their input to the EALA. If we integrate, we will even have more local tourists from Uganda and Tanzania. Our tourism industry, which is collapsing at a very high rate, will rejuvenate. We will have members of the Kisii community exporting their bananas very easily to Tanzania. Kenyans will export labour to other EAC member states, given that we have very many trained lawyers and other professionals. The question of unemployment in Kenya will be tackled. Another thing I would like to say is that the title of The East African Community Integration Bill, 2014 is slightly misleading, but it has good intentions – to integrate the citizens of the community’s member states. This Bill intends to create awareness and education to member states so that members in these states will understand each other and will not have stereotypes, that if they integrate with Kenya, Kenyans will come and grab their land. It should not be The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}