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{
    "id": 843836,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/843836/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 131,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. It was on when we were discussing the previous Petition. I will mention a few observations with regards to the three Petitions. I do not want to go back to the Petition on the oil spillage. However, I am glad that it was committed to our Committee. These are issues that have caused, not just environmental, but major disasters in this country. I do not know if any of you remembers a few years ago when we had fires in Mukuru slum and other slums which ware caused by spilled pipelines that run under sewers. I am glad that we have been given the opportunity to go to the bottom of this and come up with some remedial recommendations. With regards to the Petition which has been brought by traders before this House, once again, as the Senate Majority Leader said, it is true many Kenyans are looking up to the Senate to address these issues that ail their business and lives. As you are aware, small traders are the backbone of the economy of this country, particularly this city which contributes about 60 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Madam Temporary Speaker, we should look at the issue of unfair trade practices locally and not internationally. What is going on here is really detrimental to our small- scale traders, especially the issue of importation. Corruption is causing unfair ground which is something that this House must stand up to be counted for and must rectify. A few weeks ago, we saw people petitioning and picketing along this street. This tells us that they have been disadvantaged and that certain obligations of the country, for example, some of the terms of exemption under the East African Community (EAC) Act of 2014 were flouted. They were right because there was no major relief for which the exception was made. All the other criteria were flouted giving unfair advantage to big importers while the small traders were literally driven out of business. Therefore, I hope that this House does not stand by but acts. The Petition is now committed to the right Committee which will do justice to similar matters as it is the norm in this House. Madam Temporary Speaker, we do not want to belabour the issue of importation of sugar because we have done this over and over again. However, that said, it not only disadvantages the small traders who have brought this Petition before us, but also the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.  "
}