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{
    "id": 991914,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/991914/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "You will find these socio-economic protections under Clause 25 running through to Clause 34 of the Bill. Some of the proposals include the national Government and county governments being required to put in place social safety measures designed to support vulnerable persons, vulnerable households and the informal sector workers whose incomes have been disrupted by the pandemic. Such schemes include the cash transfers to the identified groups of people. The relevant national Government and county government agencies may during a pandemic waive water and electricity charges for identified vulnerable persons and households, in consultation with water and electricity service providers. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have to read very carefully because many people have misinterpreted the spirit of what we want to do in this Clause of the Bill. I am sure the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 in Kenya, Sen. Sakaja, will highlight on some of these issues. Where a pandemic affects the financial capacity of a tenant to meet their obligations, the tenant shall give a notice in writing to the landlord that they are unable to meet their obligation because of the pandemic. Upon receipt of that notice, the parties shall enter into agreement. I know the Chairperson will speak to this since it has brought a lot of controversy. In fact, once the Bill was published, we had to go on air to clarify what the Bill intends to do because it had raised quite a lot of issues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, where a pandemic adversely affects the ability of an employer to pay salaries is another very controversial area. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Employment Act, an employer shall not terminate the contract of a service, dismiss or coerce an employee to take a salary cut. However, the employers shall permit the employer to take leave of absence, for instance, without pay for the duration of the pandemic. This is an area which we are expecting to receive a lot more submissions, for us to deliberate as a Committee. We are also expecting the fraternities that handle matters of employment to come forward and give their submissions on this issue so that we can continue fine-tuning to find the best way possible. Statistics from the current pandemic have shown that revenues have really dropped. Part of the reason we are hearing all the crime that is going on is because our pockets are significantly empty. People who are not in the vulnerable category are slipping into a vulnerable section of our citizens. Most industries, especially the hospitality industry, are very hard hit. When we spoke to some of these people, it is very heartbreaking to see people in the transport sectors and the tourism transport sector have grounded their vehicles alongside their drivers. We do not know when tourism is going to pick. It is estimated that it may take up to 2022 to see tourism picking from where it is. These are critical conversations that need to be heard beforehand. Where a pandemic affects the financial ability of a borrower, a borrower and the respective lending institution shall enter into agreement to review repayment modalities and penalties. We have already seen this happening. In our Committee, we had conversations with the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) and the Central Bank"
}