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{
    "id": 737810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/737810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 63,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mbui",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1750,
        "legal_name": "Robert Mbui",
        "slug": "robert-mbui"
    },
    "content": "We may also consider controlling the imports of locally available goods. It is important for any country to protect its industries. If we allow commodities that we can produce locally to be imported, it means that we are not building our people’s capacity. It also means that we are unable to provide the jobs that are critical to eradicate poverty as we set out to do when we gained Independence. So, it is important that we do these things. The Bill also proposes to establish a government agency for investigation and enforcement of the above. When I look at some of these issues, a case in point came to mind. Recently, we have been having a major problem with the prices of food in this country. The price of maize flour had skyrocketed to a point where Kenyans were unable to put a decent meal on the table. Suddenly, we find that there is an arrangement to import something very basic like maize from abroad. There are agencies in this country that are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that our Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) is protected. What have they been doing all this time? What has happened to those years that we have been having surplus? What happened to the reserves that are supposed to have been there for such a time as this when we have drought? I think it is important that all Government agencies work together to ensure that we do not have a situation where we are importing, under pressure, items that are easily available, are locally produced and that we can access if we actually plan for it. There are also trade imbalances that favour some nations at the expense of others. If you look at our country, you will find that we actually import a lot more than we export. As long as we have that kind of trade imbalance where we are exporting very little and importing so much, we will constantly remain at the level where we are within the world ranking. So, it is important that we start figuring out and thinking ahead so that we ensure that these trade imbalances are controlled and ensure that whatever we are importing is only what must be imported. This is because if we can produce it here, let us encourage the purchase of those items here. In order to do that, we also have to ensure that we build capacity. There is a lot of work that needs to go into this but I strongly support the idea. I feel that this is a step in the right direction and I think the honourable Member has actually started off a journey that will save this nation. We hope that by the time we finish our elections and come back as a government within the National Supper Alliance (NASA), we shall be able to implement these things to benefit the people of this country. Thank you for that opportunity, Hon. Deputy Speaker. 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."
}