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{
    "id": 861058,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/861058/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 397,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to congratulate the Mover of this Bill, Sen. Moi, for having carefully thought through one of the most important pieces of legislation that we need to introduce into our country in terms of how we handle both the natural resources available in our country. The natural resources could be in the air like the wind energy or on the surface like the water. Today, we are having the blue ocean and other benefits that accrue from that level or whether they are underground natural resources that need to be exploited. One of the biggest headaches I have experienced over a period of time and for many years is that when you want to explore or invest in industrial products, the local content or people are nowhere to be seen. How do you enrich the country, its people and the population if you cannot create a local content aspect of the Bill that will enforce the constitutional framework that was laid out; so that every Kenyan shall enjoy the prosperity of this nation? How are they going to enjoy that prosperity if they are not allowed to add value through their own content? In a nutshell, this is one of the most important Bills that we need to pass through in this House as fast as we can. I see it in many dimensions; the first dimension is that very few Kenyans have a direct input in most of the industries that have been set up in this country. The net effect is that when the profits are being declared, there is a complete evacuation of all the profits outside the country and, therefore, the country does not stand to benefit in any way or manner. I argue so because I know that if industries are set up in this country, they need manpower which must be completely and properly skilled. I once had the pleasure of working as a Minister in former President Moi’s Government, and I was given the task of setting up a skills programme for this nation through technical training and applied technology. This was meant to help Kenyans acquire certain skills at various levels so that they could participate in any industrial venture that comes into this country. Firstly, we secured employment for those who were skilled and secondly, we empowered our institutions that offer training opportunities – particularly universities, technical training institutes and other such institutions – to provide enabling capacities to enable Kenyans to excel in every sector. Therefore, whether it is in marine, industrial, agricultural, social, the sciences or whatever sector you 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."
}