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{
    "id": 836992,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836992/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 319,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Malava, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Moses Injendi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2214,
        "legal_name": "Moses Malulu Injendi",
        "slug": "moses-malulu-injendi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to second this Motion. In as much as a lot in this Report is positive we also noted some negatives. In this border post we realised the Government has deployed additional government agencies to ensure smooth flow of goods and persons. With this we noted an increase in levies and taxes collected from businesspersons. Most of businesspersons have resorted to not using the border post but are using panya routes thus, the Government losses a lot of revenue. As you know, Kenyans are enterprising and outgoing therefore, most of them have resorted to using panya routes and eventually most are arrested. At one point we were taken to where their goods are held. We found most motorbikes and persons arrested were from Kenya. So, this in itself was a negative aspect of the border post. As expected we have increased job opportunities at this border post. However, when it comes to tender advertisements for example, to provide cleaning and security services, unfortunately, you know how our procurement processes work. So most companies awarded are actually foreign. We found that the companies awarded to offer services were from Nairobi or other areas. So, at the end of the day the cleaners and security guards there are non-locals. You would imagine that in this kind of facility the cleaners and security guards ought to be locals. Therefore, we found this a negative aspect. We even went ahead to find out about the catering services because they are provided with some meals. The head of the facility told us with audacity that the person running the catering facilities is a local. Unfortunately, the local community stakeholders attended our meeting. Surprisingly, a participant rose up and said the person running the catering services is a non-local. So, you can see how some senior persons can deceive. This in itself creates a poor relationship between the managers of the border post and the local community. The locals feel like the facility is being run by foreigners who are enjoying the benefits while they are not. We also realised that Tanzanians freely cross over to Kenya because of the presidential directive of free movement of persons without passports. However, Kenyans who cross over to Tanzania encounter many barriers. The locals complained that Kenyans cannot go Tanzania and enjoy even drinks because apparently, they are cheaper there compared to Kenya. However, Tanzanians can cross over to Kenya and enjoy whatever they want. They cited cases where Tanzanians cross over to Kenya and even engage our girls to have relationships with them. So, Kenyans complained that fellows from Tanzania come here and have time with their girls yet, they cannot freely cross over and enjoy the same. This was found as negative and we are calling upon the Government to help change it. Another issue we noted is a provision which states that between five and 10 kilometers from each border is a free area, and people can cross over freely. However, this only applies on the Kenyan side, so anyone can freely cross over to Kenya for business. However, the free area The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}