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{
    "id": 720085,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/720085/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 116,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Pukose",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1458,
        "legal_name": "Robert Pukose",
        "slug": "robert-pukose"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, further deliberations by the Committee observed that there is need to set up an implementing review committee following the ratification of the Agreement, which will be multi-agency. The Committee will comprise of representation from the Ministries of Health, Defence, Interior and Coordination of National Government, Foreign Affairs, National Treasury, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, State Department of Livestock, State Law Office, Council of Governors, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, among others. In consideration of the Agreement, the Committee took note of the fact that while the United States has designated the Department of Defence as the Executive agent for the Government of the United States, the Executive agent for the Kenyan Government is the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministries of Defence and Interior and Coordination of National Government. Regarding taxation, imports and exports, the Committee observed that Article 5 of the Agreement provides for waiver in Income Tax, allowances and other emoluments for parties working in the country where the activity is being implemented. The Article allows for the importation or exportation of goods and services under the Agreement. The Committee raised concerns on the Article on liability, where except for contractual claims parties were not expected to bring legal proceedings against each other’s personnel contractors and damage to each other’s properties. However, it was noted that the Article provides for third party discussions on liabilities, including possible compensation. From the foregoing, the Committee recommends as follows: 1. The National Assembly approves the ratification of this Agreement as it is in the interest of the country in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) international health regulations in addressing biological threats and pathogens. 2. The Multi-Agency Implementing Committee envisaged in Article 7(3) should be established immediately after the ratification of this Agreement to facilitate effective implementation as envisaged in Article 2. 3. The implementing committee shall develop a mechanism for reporting back to Parliament on the status of the implementation of the Agreement. 4. The agencies involved in the implementation should develop the requisite capacity to effectively implement this agreement. 5. All laws on waiver of taxes be taken into consideration when implementing the agreement. 6. The Ministry of Health, together with the other State agencies charged with handling pathogens, should develop the standard national list of pathogens and this should be made public and stored in a place where we can access that information. 7. The Ministry of Health should provide a list of specific goods and services under this agreement to be exempt from taxes, duties and levies. 8. The State Law Office should fast-track the draft Bio-security Bill to be passed by Parliament, so as to provide a legal framework on which to anchor issues of bio- safety and bio-security. 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."
}