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{
    "id": 5982,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/5982/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 495,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Wamalwa",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 148,
        "legal_name": "Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa",
        "slug": "eugene-wamalwa"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we know that in all the other areas, we have tried and we have done well when it comes to the constitutional reforms, institutional reforms; whether it is in the police and the land reforms. All the Agenda Four items, we have dealt with them very well and they are on course. I believe that most of the Bills are coming before this House. The area that we have done very little about is the area of youth unemployment. This was recognized by the Serena Team as one of the areas of concern and unless it is addressed, it will turn into a time bomb. We are seeing this happening in other nations on this continent and beyond; whether it is in Syria or Egypt, there are young people out there who are hungry and angry and out on the streets. Unless we do something to give them hope and empower them, what is happening in Egypt can very easily happen here. What is happening in Syria and other parts can easily happen here. So, part of this Agenda Four item is what we are trying to address through this proposed amendment. It is possible that this matter can be addressed not just through this Bill, but through many other Bills that are coming before this House that would seek to empower the youth. If we were to look at the public procurement that goes on even just in terms of beautifying our public offices and Ministries, the flowers that are supplied run into hundreds of millions. The stationery that we use ordinarily in our offices, if it was possible to let the youth supply these stationery, these are millions and billions of shillings, even the groceries and the tea that we have in our offices. But for the youth to compete or even to have a chance to supply stationery is an uphill task. You find that those who get those tenders to supply would be one way or the other connected and politically-correct, but we can say “no, let us also give a share of this to our young people”. We can do so through this amendment. One day when the young people of this country feel appreciated, involved and empowered, they can also say like Alfred Mutua says : “Ninajivunia kuwa Mkenya”. Many of them right now are saying “ Navumilia kuwaMkenya”. They are so stressed. They cannot afford a kilogram of sugar. Many have turned to boda bodas because that is the only business they can do after school if they can manage to get a motorbike somewhere or get employed. We should allow them to access our public offices and public procurement entities and tell them that: “You too have a share in this; you are not just observers; you can participate, you can stop whining and start winning some tenders because we care and we are making friendly policies and laws that will make it easier for the youth than it has been”. It is their constitutional right under the new Constitution. I wish not to take a lot of time and I want to invite hon. Odhiambo-Mabona to second this Motion. I beg to move."
}