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"id": 721840,
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"speaker_name": "Hon. Kang’ata",
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"legal_name": "Irungu Kang'ata",
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"content": "Magistrates’ Courts Act of 2015. There is some form of conflict. Therefore, there is need to ensure that the definition provided in the Magistrates’ Act of 2015, which we passed the other day, is similar to the definition contained in the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (No.4 of 2010). This country is currently undergoing a procedure of changing its curriculum. There is a proposal by the Government to move from the current 8-4-4 System of Education to the 2-7-3-3 System of Education. Hon. Speaker, if that was to happen, there would be radical changes in our curriculum and so, we need to ensure that the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Board (KICDB), as currently constituted, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) has some powers over that Board. According to the current law, the removal procedure of persons appointed to that Board is not clear. Therefore, we need to amend the Bill to provide for the resignation of the Chairman of the Board or even the replacement of the Chairperson by the CS. Right now, the way the law is, if the Chairperson of the Board was to resign, there is no procedure that is set out for a CS to replace him or her. Hon. Speaker, my best proposal in this omnibus legislation is about the Crops Act No. 2013. In that law, we have the Commodities Fund Board of Trustees. Up to now, we have never activated that Fund. The major reason we have not done that is because there are no details for its establishment. I come from a place where we farm a lot of coffee and tea. We would benefit a lot with the establishment of that Fund. But for now, we cannot benefit. I have been fighting for what we call, “Minimum Guaranteed Return” for coffee and tea farmers. If that was to be actualized, it can only be payable from that Fund. I am happy that the Government is moving towards ensuring that Fund is activated. One way is by providing details on the establishment of the Commodities Fund Board of Trustees. For now, the matter is in limbo for lack of those details and the Government is trying to come up with the details that will enable that fund to be activated. I also make reference to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act No. 29 of 2013. I am one great supporter of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), which is like what used to be called the Joint Admissions Board (JAB). It ensures equity and so it is a very good entity. However, we have some other specialized courses which probably that Board may lack the requisite competencies to recruit. Therefore, the idea is to ensure in those specialized courses, this Board does not recruit students to go and learn in those institutions. There is the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, which has been a very good tool towards ensuring that the procurement in Government is fairer, more transparent and rational. So many cases have arisen out of public procurement but, when the matters are handled by the Tribunal or the Review Board, the Attorney-General (AG) is not notified. He may be an interested party, but he is normally not aware of pending proceedings in a certain Review Board. It, therefore, makes all the sense that we amend the law so that every matter pending before the Review Board is brought to the notice of the Attorney-General. He can either choose to seek an application to be enjoined or he can advise the relevant Government Ministry on the pendency of the matter before the Review Board. For now, it is a quagmire. Finally, we have the last proposal on the National Employment Authority (NEA) Act. We all know the problems that our people have been experiencing outside this country in places such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It makes sense if we were to expand the mandate of NEA and teach our people who want to migrate some basic things. Some of our sisters go to those countries and are faced with foreign cultures. They are unable to integrate with the foreigners. Therefore, it makes sense to do training programmes for such migrant workers. 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."
}