GET /api/v0.1/hansard/entries/949275/?format=api
HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 949275,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/949275/?format=api",
"text_counter": 68,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Rev.) Waqo",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13178,
"legal_name": "Naomi Jilo Waqo",
"slug": "naomi-jilo-waqo"
},
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to add my voice to this important Bill by Sen. Kibiru. From the beginning, I support this Bill because it touches on the lives of many Kenyans who struggle to feed their families and meet their demands on daily basis. I support this Bill because its principal object is to provide a framework to regulate the business of street vending in the country. Small-scale trade contributes significantly to the growth of the country. Majority of Kenyans are the people who are in this business, in different areas in our counties. In the past, we have seen the vendors being harassed and frustrated most of the time. They even lose property. They usually undergo a lot of stress and harassment. Once this Bill becomes an Act, it will protect the vendors and they will be able to enjoy even the small businesses they do. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as many Senators have already said, many Kenyans are involved in this. Even the great and rich people have done this before. Famous people that we know have been selling their commodities on the street and that is where they have accumulated their money and wealth. It is good for us to create a conducive environment for every Kenyan who wants to do their business and create wealth. Many are the times small traders suffer because as a Government, we do not give them attention. We keep on harassing them, creating opportunity for those who already have what they need. I support this Bill because it will help the small-scale traders. The vendors will be protected and have everything done for them, so that they can do their businesses. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Part II of the Bill talks about regulation of street vendors. These regulations will guide street vending under the guidance of the Cabinet Secretary (CS) by a Gazette notice. The regulations will guide the vendors and help them register and do their businesses. I support this Bill because once this happens, the CS will establish such other offices of the unit anywhere in Kenya as may be necessary for the discharge of the provisions of this Act. The challenges that vendors face in Nairobi City County cannot be compared to those that small vendors face in other small towns. This is because even before they sell their commodities, sometimes they are harassed. Before they make any profit, they make losses because they keep on borrowing money to pay for their business to start off. Part III speaks about vending zones, which is very important. Clause 8 (1) says that each County Executive Committee (CEC) Member, shall by notice in the county gazette, demarcate and designate the county into vending zones. This has already been said and then, the traders can identify the areas relevant to them and do their businesses. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Clause 9 (5) is what has really excited me because it says: “In considering the vending zone plan under subsection (4), the county assembly shall conduct public participation.” This is something that will enhance the views that are already in the Bill and shall give the opportunity to the vendors to give their views for them to have what is relevant to them and also do business that is acceptable. 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."
}