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{
"id": 472652,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/472652/?format=api",
"text_counter": 34,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Were",
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"speaker": {
"id": 153,
"legal_name": "David Aoko Were",
"slug": "david-were"
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"content": "In Europe, naming rights has achieved marked success, with examples ranging from Arsenal Stadium, which has since been renamed “Emirates Stadium”; Bolton Wonderers Stadium, which has been renamed “Reebok Stadium”; and Manchester City Stadium, which has been renamed “Etihad Stadium”, just to mention a few. Hon. Speaker, the SSMB/Safaricom deal was a culmination of a number of consultative forums with various authorities. The Board of the SSMB adopted the proposal on 27th April, 2012. Further, the SSMB sought consent from the parent Ministry on 4th May, 2013, which was granted on 8th May, 2013. The SSMB put up a tender public notice on 17th May, 2013 in the Daily Nation Newspaper and on 21st May, 2013 in TheStar Newspaper, where it sought bids for naming rights for the two facilities at Moi International Sports Centre – the main stadium and the indoor arena. After the tender process was completed, amongst the ten firms that responded, Safaricom Limited offered the most competitive bid, with a total bid of Kshs55 million for a two-year period. In addition, they committed to undertake improvement to both facilities at a cost of Kshs155 million over and above the money paid directly to the SSMB. This makes a total package of Kshs210 million for the two-year period. It is also worth noting that apart from the above benefits, the agreement with Safaricom Limited is very progressive and allows for other synergy projects to be negotiated within the contract period. Back in the year 2009, when a naming rights deal was offered to Coca Cola Company Limited, the SSMB sought legal opinion from the State Law Office in March, 2009 in respect to changing of the name “Nyayo”. The legal opinion given directed that an organisation can seek the Minister’s written opinion to use specified names like “Nyayo” or “Moi” without contravening the provisions of Section 3 (a)-(c) of the National Flags, Emblems and Names Act, Chapter 99 of the Laws of Kenya. With respect to naming rights agreements the world over, the alteration of the original name is usually temporary. Normally, the original name reverts back at the end of the contract period. Also, exclusion of use of the commercial name during State functions is usually factored into the contract. Hon. Speaker, in the case of the SSMB/Safaricom deal, the Moi International Sports Centre has not been interfered with. It remains as it is. The two facilities within the centre offered to Safaricom for naming rights do not bear any protected name as shown in some photos attached to this response. On steps being taken by the Government to develop a framework to manage the remaining public infrastructural developments such as roads, stadiums and airports to protect and prevent such alterations, Section 3(a)-(c) of the National Flags, Emblems and Names Act, Chapter 99 of the Laws of Kenya, provide a legal framework on protection and alternation of names, emblems and national flags. Further, the exemptions are indeed necessary for the stadium’s sustainability as the concept of naming rights is one of the acknowledged best practices internationally. 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."
}