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{
    "id": 887373,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/887373/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 263,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kajiado South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Katoo ole Metito",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13239,
        "legal_name": "Janet Marania Teyiaa",
        "slug": "janet-marania-teyiaa"
    },
    "content": "Let me just go to the right of residence as well because of time. It provides that the nationals of a member state will have the right of residence in the territory of any member state in accordance with the laws of the host member state and as such a national may be accompanied by his or her spouse and dependants. The member states will be required to gradually implement favourable policies and laws on residents or national of other member states. So, the Protocol is basically saying that just as you have 90 days to roam within the boundaries of the member states without the requirement of visas, you can be accompanied by your spouse and your dependants subject to the laws of the host country. On the right of establishment, the Protocol envisages that nationals of a member state will have the right of establishment within the territory of another member state still in accordance with the laws of the member state. This right of establishment will include the right to set up a business, trade, profession, vacation or an economic activity as a self-employed person in the territory of the host member state. This will definitely boost business, trade and profession. You can be a legal practitioner and you will be allowed to practise your profession in any of the member states; of course, subject to the laws of the host country. The fifth one is the mutual recognition of qualifications, which is very important because the member states will be required either individually or through bilateral, multilateral or regional arrangements, to mutually recognise academic, professional and technical qualifications of their nationals so as to promote the movement of persons among the member states. They will also be required to establish a continental qualification framework to encourage and promote free movement of persons. That will actually standardise and streamline the qualification of the different professions whereby your qualification here as a medical practitioner can easily be recognised by any of the member states in this Protocol. There is also the issue of protection of property acquired in the host member state. The Protocol will require that the property acquired in the host member state in accordance with the laws, policies and procedures of the host member states shall be protected; and such property that is lawfully acquired, so long as it is lawfully acquired, it shall not be nationalised, expropriated, confiscated or acquired by the host member state except in accordance with the law and after fair compensation being paid to the national. Among others, there is the remittance where there will be a streamlined procedure whereby those working in those countries can remit their savings to their nationals in other countries without any problems. Harmonisation of laws is also explained. Let me just mention it because it is the last one in the clauses. Upon the adoption of the Protocol, member states will be required to harmonise and coordinate their laws, policies, systems and activities of the regional economic communities of which they are members, which relate to the free movement of persons, with the laws, policies, systems and activities of the African Union in accordance with the implementation plan. There will be a seamless border so you will operate like you are just in your own home country. The Protocol has immense benefits to Kenya. First, Kenya has made commendable efforts to facilitate foreign entry and stay in this country. Such efforts include issuance of visa on arrival, abolition of visa requirements for some nationals of some countries, for instance commonwealth countries, and through bilateral arrangements on exemption of visa requirements. It just emphasises something that Kenya has been talking about and is passionate about namely, the issue of abolition of borders in these countries. 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."
}