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{
    "id": 479759,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/479759/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Makenga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1650,
        "legal_name": "Richard Makenga Katemi",
        "slug": "richard-makenga-katemi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you hon. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute towards this very important Bill. This Bill is very timely as it sufficiently covers very pertinent issues in mining. If implemented, it will ensure sustainable use of our mineral resources to facilitate revenue generation to the national and the county government. It will also to enhance skills transfer to Kenyans as well as ensure that mining is of benefit to local communities. In this era of climate change and environmental degradation concerns, it is also commendable that this Mining Bill will provide a framework to compel miners to implement healthy and safety environmental protection measures. Hon. Speaker, I would wish to point out a few areas of concern. The first part of the Fourth Schedule, general provisions on mineral rights, Clause 32(2), the timelines for the receiving of feedback on application status for these mineral rights, ought to be shortened; probably when it comes to the Committee Stage, I will propose an amendment for the period to be shortened from 90 days to 75days. Similarly, the waiting time in getting reply for the mining license--- The application status should be reduced also from a 120 days to 90 days. This is in line with the ongoing efforts to make Kenya a preferred investment hub in East Africa, by cutting the waiting time required for doing business in the country. This Bill also proposes that the holder of mining right initiates development projects in the host community. This will go a long way in increasing projects within the host community. The host communities are sometimes exploited by investors; for the first time in this country, I think we are going to see communities benefitting from investors, who will come and prospect for mines, or do mining, in their areas. Communities will, for the first time, put money in their pockets because the Bill proposes that part of the proceeds be shared among the communities. It is important to note that miners will also be required to comply with environmental and management requirements. It is also important to note the fact that the mining industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions. There is also a need to compel miners to take deliberate action reduce emissions by, for example, giving incentives to encourage the use of renewable energy resources like fossils, and levying carbon tax on compliance. With those few remarks I would like to support the Bill. Thank you, hon. Speaker."
}