{"id":671754,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/671754/?format=json","text_counter":264,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"street vendors who often conduct their business amidst a lot of challenges. For instance, harassment by authorities who even confiscates their wares. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am cognizant of the fact that in Malaysia and India, the business of MSEs specifically the hawkers are clearly recognized. They have benefitted from a formalized way of doing business, including benefits which in this country are only enjoyed by a privileged few who come from the so called larger MSEs. The informal sector in India has got more than 370 million workers; this forms almost 93 per cent of the entire work force. The Government of India formulated a national policy on street vendors in 2009. There is need for street vendors to be allocated the best possible time and place to sell their wares in response to demand for their goods and services. I urge the city authorities to designate appropriate places for the vendors to sell their wares even if it is on a time sharing basis at the convenience of the other users of the space. This policy should recognize that street vendors who are micro entrepreneurs should also be provided with vocational education and training on entrepreneurial development skills to upgrade their technical and business potential so as to increase their income levels. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, most of the MSE traders have no form of training at all. One leaves their house and goes on the street to practice street business by selling their wares. In this amendment, I propose that it is important to recognize that the role played by the MSEs in this country in job creation, taking our youths from crime and movement of capital is a great achievement in a country where the greatest part of our population are the young. In this amendment, it is important to give access and information on credit facilities to such entrepreneurs. Municipal authorities are supposed to provide necessary facilities and infrastructure within vending zones, including facilities such as sanitation, water, electricity and protective covers to such vendors and their wares. They must be protected from environmental effects and be given storage facilities for their fish and other perishable items. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the above policy would address challenges that many Kenyan players in the informal sector face which stem from the lack of recognition in legislation. Under the Constitution, such people deserve to be provided with an enabling business environment. Among the challenges that are faced by the small scale traders and MSEs, one would list lack of access to proper structured financial services which include credit and savings. Other challenges would be inability to access training in business and technical skills, inadequate linkages with the formal business sector and suppliers as well as lack of access to basic services such as work places, water and limited access to business related infrastructure such as manufacturing space for those that want to do so; closeness to others involved in similar activities where pooling of similar resources by similar businesses is an advantage. For example, we have seen this happen in China where companies started specialized cottage industries from hawking. The low awareness and understanding of Government regulations which affect these people, particularly how public space is regulated is also a challenge as well as lack of or limited and uncoordinated communication strategies and channels. I believe the 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"}