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{
    "id": 638710,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/638710/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 545,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sijeny",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13127,
        "legal_name": "Judith Achieng Sijeny",
        "slug": "judith-achieng-sijeny"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is sad because most Kenyans have been doing their fishing there and the fishing industry has been booming. If this Bill is passed there will be some rules and regulations. It also deals with fishing within territories and borders of the country. It will also deal with those who encroach on the land or the waters of Kenya illegally and bring foreign vessels without permits and licensing. There will be proper control of the fishing industry. I like this Bill because it deals with the small-scale fishermen. It does not talk about the people who will be dealing in exports. It brings in policies, guidelines, creates bodies and boards that will look into the ordinary ‘Akinyi’ who deals with fish. It spells out how she will be safeguarded, so that the ‘big sharks’ do not swallow her. In most areas where fishing takes place, for example, Sori Bay or Uyoma, fish is very expensive for the local people because they do not have rules that protect the indigenous people. They do not have access to some of the things like factories or vessels which can help them preserve the fish and promote the trade. It is a free-for-all situation, which generally is not good, because they end up being abused. When adults and even children engage in fish trade and get some money, they engage in adultery and illicit sex. As a result, there is high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Many people die because they are not capacitated. The market is not available and so, they restrict themselves to the little available market. They do not think of exports or imports. With this Bill, everything will be regulated. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have gone through the Bill and feel that it gives the national Government a lot of control. It does not give ‘Akinyi’ or the county government control. Naturally, the county governments should have a say when it comes to policies because everything is within their regions. They ought to have been included. At the appropriate time, we will make proper amendments to ensure that everybody participates. The Cabinet Secretary should not be the only person in charge. The county officers should also have a say in the fishing industry within the counties. When we talk about giving licenses, it is the people who are at the grassroots level who know who operates what. Just like tourism, Kenya used to brag about the success in the fishing industry. We The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}