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{
    "id": 614359,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/614359/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Oyoo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2408,
        "legal_name": "James Onyango Oyoo",
        "slug": "james-onyango-oyoo"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much Hon. Speaker for giving me an opportunity to add my voice to this very important Motion. I regret that as I was waiting, quite substantial grounds have been covered by my colleagues on this very important Motion. As Kenyans, we should be fast learners. In everything that happens, we should be able to take notes and make sure that we use it as a case study. I start by thanking the Kenyan Ambassador to United Nations based in Geneva for putting up spirited efforts to ensure that this important function takes place in this country. There has been a lot of lobbying and jostling. As much as this thing was discussed in 2013, it was known that it will take place in Africa. There has been a lot jostling around by the emerging economic forces like Brazil to relocate it and take it elsewhere. However, through our able representation by Kenyan Ambassador to United Nations Mission in Geneva, we are finally going to have it here. We should, therefore, reward the efforts of such an able officer. Twenty years ago, Kenya was privileged to host the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) when they had those renewed forces of energy courtesy of a good Kenyan who was in United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), but we did not learn from it so much until today when we are still busy tabling many papers when we should have been ahead. What does signing of this Agreement stand to benefit us? We have had petty differences in our country; more so, when it comes to trade. We have a lot of imbalances in our trade. We are doing a lot of trade with China today. However, if you look at the balance sheet, you will find that we are exporting to China more than we are importing from them. I believe this thing is really worrying Kenyans; more so, His Excellency the President whose intention is to take Kenya a step forward. So, this thing will bring the world closer to us so that we are able to analyze and know first-hand that even in the sugar sector --- We have been making noise that there has been proliferation of imported sugar from Brazil and Uganda. We should be able to know when goods arrive and their market prices and whether we can get a better deal elsewhere. It will help us eliminate proliferation of illicit trade which is prompted by bureaucratic differences. We must support our Government and make sure that this thing does not happen for nothing, and make sure that we take it a step forward to enhance our agricultural productivity so that we can also compete. We must be able to go outside there and compete. If it is the sugar industry whose interests I represent, the Government must start thinking of how to produce more sugar and export it, and not have Government officers who are forever thinking of how to kill the sugar industry so that they have room to import it, get more profit and cut deals. This is the way Kenyans should start thinking and I believe this will be a step forward. I urge Members to take interest in what is going to emerge in this conference. With those few remarks, I support the implementation of this Agreement and Kenyans should support it."
}