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{
    "id": 736773,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/736773/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 108,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker for allowing me to air my views on this Bill. I support it from the outset. This is a very timely Bill because our country has for a long time been attracting investors. It has been quite hospitable and welcoming to business people and investors. So, anything that we are doing to make that environment more conducive is very much supported. That is why I strongly support this Bill. I also know that Vision 2030 is set to make Nairobi a financial hub. I am sure that will create many opportunities. The Bill provides a legislative framework. It is important that we have a legal framework within which investors operate. This ensures that activities are predictable. It also gives investors confidence. We know that many investors are risk-takers but they are certainly not reckless risk-takers. They take calculated risks. Part of what gives them confidence to take risks is a proper legal framework in which they operate. This Bill offers just that. I hope that there has been stakeholder involvement. When the Mover was moving the Bill, he confirmed that there has been participation by stakeholders. We should also look for a way of involving the wider public so that they can also give their input. It would be even better to come up with ways of making the ordinary mwananchi tap into whatever benefits this framework brings with it. An example is what I saw recently. Wananchi were encouraged to buy bonds through the ordinary Mpesa system. That should be encouraged as much as possible. Again, let us also learn from centres that have been established in other parts of the world ahead of us so that we do not run into problems. So, it will be important for us to compare notes with other places where these centres operate. As we do that, it would be good to be cautious so that we do not create loopholes that can be exploited by some of these anti-social criminals. I am talking about money laundering and other illegal activities. I hope that we will take sufficient measures not to fall into that problem. Having gone through certain parts of the Bill, I am encouraged that it is envisaged that through this centre, job opportunities will be created both directly and indirectly. We know that if such centres are established, there is a lot of spill-over effect. It will benefit the country in terms of supporting services. I also believe that once this centre is up and fully operational, there will be more opportunities for capital for this country, particularly for investment in infrastructural projects like roads. Here, we are talking about genuine roads and not just those which are reflected on paper like the thousands of kilometres that we are being told about and yet there is nothing to show. I was expecting the annuity programme to take effect. I had earlier on, as I began my tenure, promised the people of Butula construction of some road. I even pointed out the road that I had earmarked for this programme but nothing has come out of it so far. So, those are some of the failed promises that were given by the Jubilee Government. With availability of capital – because I know these things do require very intensive capital – we should be able to have roads and other infrastructural investments like electricity, water and even railways, not just from Mombasa to Nairobi but in other parts of this country. Also, through this Centre and its 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."
}