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{
    "id": 638742,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/638742/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 577,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Elachi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13115,
        "legal_name": "Beatrice Elachi",
        "slug": "beatrice-elachi"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Bill. This sector contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country. The National Economic Survey, 2006 indicates that the fisheries sector was contributing approximately 4.1 per cent, roughly Kshs5 billion, to the GDP of this country. Today, we have gone beyond because the fisheries sector has transformed. We have more people who do fish farming at home through fish ponds. The Kibaki Government introduced an elaborate programme where young people were engaging in the fishing industry. To date, we have many people engaging in fish farming. Therefore, as I talk about this Bill, we should ensure that all the sectors engaged in the fishing industry are included. This Bill seeks to establish two authorities. It talks of the fisheries and food authorities. I hope that the Senate will relook into the functions of these two authorities before we send it back to the National Assembly for deliberation. We need to amend some of proposals in this Bill. For example, is it right to collapse these two authorities into one? We are talking so much about fisheries as a subsector forgetting we are yet to discuss the Food Authority Bill. When we pass this Bill, we will have an authority that will deal with fish as a source of food and another authority to deal with fisheries. The Bill generally talks about food which could mean foods other than fish. This Bill does not explain clearly the role of these two authorities. It talks of an authority that will promote, streamline, coordinate and regulate research in crops, livestock, marine and fisheries genetic resources and biotechnology in Kenya. Secondly, it says the authority will promote, streamline, coordinate and regulate research in crops and animal diseases. We already have another authority that deals with animal diseases. At the Committee stage, I hope the chairperson will further explain more about this Bill so that Kenyans can understand what it is we are trying to pass here. The title of this Bill does not say much why we need food authority. This Bill talks about fisheries and management. Therefore, it confuses very many Kenyans because it is dealing with very many issues. I would have wished that we deal with fisheries---"
}