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{
    "id": 583282,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/583282/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 214,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "Therefore, it does not feature anywhere among the countries that export raw tea in the world. However, when we talk about the countries that export tea with value addition, Britain becomes number three exporter of tea in the world and yet they do not have a single plantation of tea. They import tea from Kenya, Sir Lanka and other places and they do value addition. They blend it. Therefore, they become the main exporters of tea in Europe and not Kenya or other country with huge tea plantations. This demonstrates the value and strength of value addition of what you are producing. I am not suggesting that it will be a walk-over to industrialize our country through the counties, but a lot of serious effort is needed. You will need investors, both local and external to assist us to do so. We may need a lot of bench-marking because we are coming in very late. There are many countries that have done what I am proposing like in South Asia and Brazil. They took up those industries and made agriculture a business. Therefore, bench-marking to some of these places will be necessary for Kenyans to enable us move forward. It is also necessary to mobilize wananchi to invest in industries. It is very easy for Kenyans to buy shares in Safaricom or in East Africa Breweries Limited. However, it is not easy for them to buy shares in an upcoming industry like agri-business venture. Therefore, I am suggesting that the Government should do what it does with capital projects like development of roads and installation of electricity. Take an example of a place like Oloitokitok. A few years ago we did not have the road from Emali to Oloitokitok. The place was like an island. The moment the road was built the number of vehicles increased. This means that economic activities will increase if the Government constructs roads and other amenities. If you get people who will use that road to invest in its construction, they will not agree. They would rather go where there is a road already. The Government takes a risk of investing public funds in construction of such a road with the hope that it will boost the economy. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in order to industrialize this country, somebody somewhere must take a risk. It can be done the way the Government starts a water scheme, construction of a road or installation of electricity across the country, but not knowing who the users will be. So, the same Government must be the one to take the risk and start funding the counties for industrialization. The Government should take the risk on behalf of all of us. This is because if no one takes the risk, we will continue importing. Importation is what we have been doing all around. In fact, if you look in this Chamber virtually everything is imported. For example, clothes which we are wearing, carpets, the public address system, among others. What really is not imported here? When you go to our houses, it is even worse. Literally every item is imported; be it an appliance, a simple thermos or hammers, they are all imported. Even the shoes, mobiles phones and eye glasses are all imported. However, that does not mean that we do not have the raw materials to make these things. It is only that we have not taken the cue. We are so brainwashed that if you look at an agricultural produce like oranges or mangoes in a supermarket, we always buy the imported ones. I can guarantee you that the imported oranges will sell faster than the ones which are local because we have been brainwashed to an extent of believing that imported items are better than what we have locally. What is the problem? Is it the manpower that we do not have in order for us to add value to our produce? Is it the raw materials we do not have? Is it the innovation we do not have or is it the money or, perhaps we do not have the courage to do so? 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."
}