HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, POST, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"count": 1608389,
"next": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=api&page=160803",
"previous": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=api&page=160801",
"results": [
{
"id": 1626212,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626212/?format=api",
"text_counter": 184,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Sen. Mungatana, Sen. Cherarkey and Sen. Adan, please, consult in low tones, so that we may hear Sen. Crystal. Proceed."
},
{
"id": 1626213,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626213/?format=api",
"text_counter": 185,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you for protecting me from the Members who are consulting. This is a highly emotive subject and I am certain they are busy discussing my submission as I speak. I wish to underscore and reemphasise that we must consider the root cause, preventing or curing it, rather than attempting to address it with a piece of paper and regulations. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to speak from the perspective of a creative. Recently, in last year’s Finance Bill, which was thwarted by nationwide protests, there was a proposal to tax the creative industry. Creatives protested loudly, asking, “how can you tax or regulate us when you have not even created an environment for us to thrive?” What exactly will you tax us? I draw a parallel, not literally, but in principle, to this issue. Why would you seek to tax or regulate a group of people who are exhibiting symptoms of societal problems we have failed to solve? Instead of addressing the root issues, we punish them for being unemployed, for struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs or pornography, whatever the case may be, when we have not, as the so-called brightest minds in the nation, engaged in evidence-based policymaking. We must ask ourselves, is legislation truly the sustainable solution? Alternatively, must we dig deeper to the core, to understand why our people feel compelled to gamble away their lives, assets, dreams and possessions, instead of seeking honest work, addressing mental health struggles, overcoming addictions or breaking free from pornography? This is a poignant issue. I raised it clearly during our deliberations on this Bill in the Labour and Social Welfare Committee. The mediated version before us still fails to address this fundamental question, one that may be philosophical, but demands an answer. I had hoped this Committee would tackle these deeper issues rather than presenting us with yet another piece of legislation that may never solve the problem or bring gambling under control. I thank you."
},
{
"id": 1626214,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626214/?format=api",
"text_counter": 186,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you. Sen. Okiya Omtatah."
},
{
"id": 1626215,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626215/?format=api",
"text_counter": 187,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "I shall be brief and presidential."
},
{
"id": 1626216,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626216/?format=api",
"text_counter": 188,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Laughter)"
},
{
"id": 1626217,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626217/?format=api",
"text_counter": 189,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "First, this is a bad Bill. It attempts to regulate a highly technical area without any prior scientific study. That is where the problem is. The root cause of gambling is the misconception that it is a shortcut to wealth, particularly in a country like Kenya, where earning a shilling has become very difficult. This explains its rampant spread. Perhaps we should withdraw this Bill, conduct a proper study on what drives gambling and then propose scientific solutions. As it stands, this Bill lacks scientific grounding. I do not see The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1626218,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626218/?format=api",
"text_counter": 190,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "any solution proposed. Yes, regulation is needed, but by doing what? Education is necessary, but by doing what? Multiple interventions are required, but for doing what? Mr. Speaker, Sir, while the intent of the Bill is good, the execution is flawed. As a student of St. Thomas Aquinas, I hold that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. This Bill is poorly crafted, even if the problem it addresses is real, this Bill is not the solution. Sen. Mungatana acknowledged the Bill, but did not explicitly support it. In the absence of a serious study, we are groping in the dark, potentially worsening the situation while believing we are improving it. I propose withdrawing this Bill and tasking the relevant state bodies with conducting a thorough study. Only then should a well- researched and reasoned Bill be presented for debate. If you look at gambling advertisements, they promise quick wealth, not recreation or mental refreshment. Slogans like \" Leo hustler, kesho sonko \" prey on desperation. I pray that this Bill be withdrawn or if not, voted down, to pave way for a more informed and effective solution. As it stands, we lack the necessary information to make a decision. With these remarks, I reject the Bill. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1626219,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626219/?format=api",
"text_counter": 191,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Senators, there being no other Senator wishing to contribute, I call upon the Mover to reply."
},
{
"id": 1626220,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626220/?format=api",
"text_counter": 192,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I extend my gratitude to the following colleagues for their contributions: Sen. Cherarkey, Sen. Faki, Sen. Mungatana, Sen. Olekina, the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot, Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Sen. Crystal Asige and last but not least, Sen. Okiya Omtatah. On behalf of the Mover of this Bill, Sen. Chesang, I echo many of the sentiments expressed today by my colleagues. We live in a global society and we cannot bury our heads in the sand to say that gambling and betting related activities do not happen. While it may be a tall order to say we can fully regulate these activities, we must begin from somewhere, and this Bill represents that first step. This legislation is not just about gambling, it encompasses broader issues, including amendments to the National Lottery Act of 2023, which it speaks to. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have got many other regulations. What the amended or mediated version of this is trying to achieve is to enhance---"
},
{
"id": 1626221,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1626221/?format=api",
"text_counter": 193,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Sen. Cherarkey consulted loudly)"
}
]
}