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"id": 583306,
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Wangari",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I congratulate the Mover of this Bill. Knowing the history of the kind of Bills that Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki brings to Parliament, there is no way that we can fail to support what he has brought on the Floor. He is known for very progressive and revolutionary Bills. The County Industrial Development Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2014) fits that description. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is a pity for us to be importing everything. For example, even toothpicks that we use in our houses are imported from China. We also import many other things that we definitely should not be importing, that is just to affirm what was referred to as a consumer mentality. We should not make our country a dumping ground for all manner of things. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, last week, a Chinese shop was raided for having counterfeit goods that were not even labelled or approved for our market. Some of these cases are what drives me to think that we are sitting on a goldmine. This is something we should have done immediately we attained Independence in 1963. It is sad that we are discussing about putting it in a legal framework in 2015. However, it is better late than never. It is a good start that we are having this discussion. We are having it when we have serious dynamics in terms of population. We have thousands of young people that we churn from our universities every year. Every year, we have thousands who are released to the job market, but where do they go if we do not develop industries. Where will they be employed? We are dealing with millions that are now actually getting desperate in terms of getting jobs. Just recently, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) had a problem with the dock workers and they advertised some 28 positions. They received more than 3,000 applications. That is how serious it is. The Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) advertised for about 1,000 positions, but more than 80,000 Kenyans applied. Even the short listing for them is a nightmare. They are now looking for companies to assist them do short listing. It is that serious. We are staring at a crisis because we are not creating employment opportunities for our youth. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, industrialization can create employment, wealth and put money in our peoples’ pockets. However much we want to sit in hotels in Nairobi and say that we are now a middle level income country, it does not mean much to wananchi . Can they afford three meals a day? I sit in the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. Right now, we are dealing with the cash transfers to the elderly, persons with disabilities and orphans to the tune of Kshs18 billion this year. In Nakuru County, for example, last week, they were doing identification. We, as a country, cannot afford to reach all the elderly people. People who cannot afford a meal a day are many. It is that serious. So, even if we broadcast to the nation that our economy is doing well, what does it mean to ordinary Kenyans? Yes, ours is a middle level income economy. If this does not translate to money in the pockets of Kenyans, it has no meaning to us. We want an economy that will help us sustain our families, take our children to good schools and afford healthcare, among other amenities. Those are the things that concern Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are now in 2015. We are dealing with post Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As we now transit MDGs to sustainable goals, we are looking at a time when we are doing an evaluation. Have we made any steps in terms of eradication of 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."
}