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{
    "id": 513778,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/513778/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 124,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Gethenji",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2874,
        "legal_name": "James Ndungu Gethenji",
        "slug": "james-ndungu-gethenji"
    },
    "content": "I struggled to recall any of these countries having played the role that Kenya has played in the liberation of Mogadishu and Kismayu by combating the Al Shabaab threat. Remember Kenya has been paying the ultimate price by our soldiers being killed in combat. To date, we are not present on the ground to convert that into an economic and diplomatic dividend. It is important that we now proceed with haste to position an ambassador in the Republic of Somalia, and have him convert all the gains we have made on the military front to a diplomatic and economic gain. We are pleased to note that the nominee candidate showed willingness, upon his confirmation and appointment, that he will move with speed. He promised to go right away to the Republic of Somalia on a fact finding mission and establish the mission there which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already provided for. We have also provided for that in the Budget Policy Statement. We are happy to note that the nominee candidate has no reservations or fear about establishing himself as our representative resident in Somalia. In fact, the areas which seem to be falling through the cracks in terms of diplomatic engagements and political or economic misunderstanding can easily be brought back in line once we have a day-to-day full time diplomatic engagement and diplomatic mission in Somalia. There are many areas from which we can benefit including tourism and education. As I said, there are several teachers already teaching in Mogadishu, Somalia. This can also be enhanced once we have a formal mechanism of engagement with the Government of the Republic of Somalia to attract in a more formal, organised and disciplined manner more teachers who can continue to broaden the academic landscape in the Republic of Somalia. Over and above that, the economic landscape is not represented in the manufacturing sector inside Somalia. This represents a massive opportunity for our industries in this country to supply such things as paint, mineral water and cement. Once the people of the Republic of Somalia, together with their friends and partners around the world establish a peaceful environment in which they can carry out their economic activities, there will be opportunity for complete reconstruction of institutions and infrastructure within Somalia. This represents a massive opportunity for industries and for our engineers, professionals and labour to be able to cross into Somalia and help, support and work in the peace building and reconstruction of the infrastructure of the Republic of Somalia. This can only be co-ordinated by somebody who is on the ground, and who is alive to and aware of the opportunities that exist. It must be someone who can mine the opportunities on a regular basis. He would need to engage with the Government of Somalia to open the economic space for Kenyan entities, businesses and enterprises to come in and support the work that is being done by their brothers across the border, and rebuild and re-engineer the infrastructure of the Republic of Somalia. On the side of security---"
}