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{
    "id": 697448,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/697448/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 153,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "Having worked a lot in the child labour sector, the challenge we face as a country is whether to outlaw child labour completely or allow it to some extent. The Children’s Act is not very clear so that even when people are misusing children, sometimes it is difficult to prosecute them. I hoped that this Policy would address that issue once and for all. We fear and the reason for that is because we are not brave enough to deal properly with the issue of corruption. If we seal all the corruption loopholes, we will be able to deal with the issue of social security. You cannot address the issue of child labour without dealing with the issue of social security. Many children are engaged in child labour because they do not have alternatives. I was involved in a programme called “Mainstreaming in Action” where we advised about seven Government ministries on the issues of children and women. One of the greatest challenges we faced was dealing with the issue of child labour. How do you deal with children who are very poor and must work and yet the Government policy states that all children must go to school? Two days ago, I was driving along Mbita Causeway at around 10.00 p.m. and I saw little boys fishing. I wondered whether they would go to school in the morning and if they went, whether they would be awake. We are dealing with many child-headed households because their parents have died. I thought the Social Protection Bill by Hon. Joyce Laboso that was passed in the last Parliament would have been implemented instead of us now hearing that the Ministry wants to propose a new policy and throw away the Bill that was moved by Hon. Laboso. Even if they want to do that, can it be fast-tracked so that we better protect our children? I know we have cash transfers but they are not sufficient. They are not holistic. We need to look at children who live on their own and are being exploited. This is one of those rare moments where I must congratulate myself since you will not congratulate me and neither will the House. I want to congratulate myself for going ahead of policy. I proposed the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Bill which is now an Act. I am ahead of the Government because it has failed to implement that law. The Policy says that we should provide a legislative framework, which is already there. The Government needs to implement that law instead of providing another legislative framework. As a Government, we need to be brave enough and deal with the issues that are challenging us. We need to prioritise issues that are important. I am very disappointed in this House. Today, we are many but not sufficient. Yesterday, I was not here. When we want to discuss and politic about the state of the Kenya Airways (KQ), the House is full, but when we are discussing serious issues that concern the country, especially issues of children, most of us are away. I do not know whether it is this Political Parties Bill that has threatened people. It is a double edged sword. It is good because it brings discipline but on the other hand it has scared members out of the House. Next week, if you do not see me here, I will be at the Pan-African Parliament. I would not have been scared by that Act. I want to encourage members to be in the House when we are dealing with serious issues relating to children. I support the Policy."
}