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    "id": 883993,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/883993/?format=api",
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    "content": "KTDA). Therefore, I wish to see, like one of my colleagues has pointed out, the separation between KTDA and the Tea Regulatory Authority. I have seen how KTDA has failed and how the Tea Regulatory Authority will cure the failures. This is because if we simply bring on board another regulatory authority, I am not sure whether it will continue with the same vice that has affected farmers. Madam Temporary Speaker, the proposed Tea Regulatory Authority has already been given so many roles. For example, it has to control licensing, advisory research services, coordinating market research and issues of arbitration in the tea industry. As I said, what has been affecting the tea farmers is the issue of prices. I wish that this Bill could have identified a proposal for a marketing strategy or framework for marketing. This is because farmers have suffered when it comes to either the issue of quality as well as marketing their products. For example, recently, when the Middle East got out of our market, the tea prices dropped seriously. As I speak, the tea prices are still very low. Therefore, we need a lot of pragmatic changes to ensure that we bring this on board. I wish the Mover of the Bill would clearly display the body that will market the tea away from the proposed Tea Regulatory Board. This is because KTDA has been affected because it has had to carry out production, sale, marketing as well as over- sighting itself. If in this case we have another body, it will show us, who, when and where. In any case, our tea is mostly used as a raw material in other countries. Therefore, such a body would look into the issues of value addition, quality of tea so that it can attract better prices and to what extent we will look at the issues of production because much of the money from tea goes into production in the tea factories. Otherwise, this Bill is long overdue more particularly because for the first time, we will have a Bill that will speak to the issues of tea. This is because about 26 per cent of exports funds that Kenya receives come from tea alone. Therefore, this particular Bill will go a long to ensure that we care for the crop that will enhance our economy. Madam Temporary Speaker, I wish to speak to the issue of the proposal of a headquarters for the Authority. I support it because Kericho and its environs is the real home of tea. I am in agreement with the issue of board management in Clause 6 apart from Clause 6 (1) (c) which states:- “Seven persons nominated by the Council of Governors (CoGs), representing the top seven tea growing counties as per the records held at the Kenya bureau of Statistics as at the date of nomination” Madam Temporary Speaker, I have not seen where the farmer will have an input. I am sure that the Senator for Kericho will agree with me that for a long time, the only people that the farmers have summoned and asked questions are the directors because they have a part in electing them. 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."
}