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{
    "id": 691113,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/691113/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 181,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to speak on this Motion regarding this co-operation. Within this co-operation, there are a number of issues that have been highlighted and that are of interest to the people of the Republic of Kenya. At the same time, being a member of this House, it is a matter of interests. We represent the people and their interests. The only challenge I have with this is that the British have been insensitive, especially to the people of the miraa -growing areas. We have gone through a process and had discussions, which I hope will bear some fruits at the end and not just end up being empty talk. I am the Member of Parliament for Igembe North, which is the cradle of miraa . This is where we have many farmers. Miraa growing is spread within a wide geographic area of Meru and parts of Embu and Rift Valley. That crop is expanding. There was work which was carried out by an ad-hoc committee on miraa, which I was a member. We realised that the reason as to why miraa was banned was political. Even this is a political process. In this Report, there are some statements by our Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, which I find to be a bit dismissive to the challenges of the people, without looking at the issues. An example is Observation No. 8, where the Committee talks of the decision by the United Kingdom (UK) to ban miraa . The Report says that it was made after extensive consultations. I am not sure about this, and I think it is belittling the challenges that we have. As the leadership within British consider their interests in terms of training and the other benefits that are claimed or real, I urge them that they need to also consider the wider interests of the Kenyan people. There is also the question that has been discussed here of visa for Kenyans who wish to travel to study. As you know, Kenya and Britain have had a very long relationship. At one time, they were our colonial masters. So the relationship is long. However, if one intends to travel to the United Kingdom, it takes many days to get a visa . I do not know whether their High Commission here in Nairobi has been degraded so that we apply for visas here in Nairobi and we wait for them to be processed in Pretoria, as it has been alleged. So, we have to look at those matters. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}