{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147741","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147739","results":[{"id":1495592,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495592/?format=json","text_counter":476,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Suba North, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Millie Odhiambo Mabona","speaker":null,"content":"the Public Participation Act. We need to look at Article 1(2) of the Constitution that gives the Kenyan people the opportunity to either -I see my light has not gone up so I have time to read it... It states: “The people may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives.” Perhaps it is too early for me to talk to it, but when we are dealing with the issue of public participation, in good faith, we need to take into account what the public told us, so that it is not an exercise in futility. We need to take into account what the public says. However, we can depart from what the public says, because otherwise then we would have to undertake a referendum. However, under Article 1(2), so long as you still have a situation where we are having representative leadership, then it means that your own people trust that you will do the right thing by them but if they think you cannot do that, then they will send you home when the next election comes. I am pre-empting debate, because when it comes under the public participation law, those are issues that we will canvass. I like to stand on principle and on values. I do not want to be persuaded by what is trending at the time. It is something we need to look at under that Article of the Constitution, that in good faith, we need to hear the members of the public. For instance, on the issue of the Finance Bill 2024, if we had listened to members of the public, we would not have had what we had then. So, in good faith, I am glad you have said that you listened to members of the public on this. Thank you very much for this good Bill."},{"id":1495593,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495593/?format=json","text_counter":477,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Farah Maalim","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":{"id":16,"legal_name":"Farah Maalim Mohamed","slug":"farah-maalim"},"content":" Is the Member at the back there, Hon. Mwalyo? Proceed."},{"id":1495594,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495594/?format=json","text_counter":478,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Masinga, Independent","speaker_title":"Hon. Joshua Mwalyo","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to air my views. I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and we have done a good job on this Bill. One thing which I have seen is going to heal the cooperatives is the time limit for holding office to two years or three terms. People have been taking cooperatives as their own properties. They do not leave the offices. They take big loans and continue to stay in office. Another thing we have done is that when the directors are elected, they will deposit bonds in the cooperatives where they are being elected. This is so that in case they have defaulted or mismanaged the funds, the bond will pay whatever they have taken and have not accounted for. Another very important thing is that the Bill has introduced an insurance whereby whoever is taking the loan, in case of demise, the insurance will pay those liabilities and cover the cooperatives so that the cooperatives do not incur losses. Another thing which is very important is that once a person ceases to be a member of the cooperative, you can only bring your claim before two years elapse. After the two years have elapsed, you cannot bring any claim. The claim will cease and no one will listen to you if this Bill passes. With the surplus money that cooperatives have, they will be able to invest in liquid assets, so that they do not have floating cash that will give people the idea to apply for loans. Even the directors may be tempted, but if the money is in liquid assets, there is no way they can borrow that money. Another important thing is that a cooperative shall pay dividends only when it has been given that mandate by a general meeting of the members. It is not for the board to decide whether they will pay dividends of Ksh10 or Ksh20. That decision should be sanctioned and passed in an annual general meeting. The Bill has good measures that will curtail people who have been misusing the cooperatives. Cooperatives keep the little savings that people get from their small incomes in the villages, farms, and from whatever they sell in their areas. The Bill will cure the misuse of"},{"id":1495595,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495595/?format=json","text_counter":479,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Masinga, Independent","speaker_title":"Hon. Joshua Mwalyo","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."},{"id":1495596,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495596/?format=json","text_counter":480,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Masinga, Independent","speaker_title":"Hon. Joshua Mwalyo","speaker":null,"content":"cooperatives by directors who take money and do not pay it back. Once you pay a bond, it will cover the cost of such losses. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."},{"id":1495597,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495597/?format=json","text_counter":481,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Farah Maalim","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":{"id":16,"legal_name":"Farah Maalim Mohamed","slug":"farah-maalim"},"content":" Next is the Member for Marakwet West."},{"id":1495598,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495598/?format=json","text_counter":482,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marakwet West, Independent","speaker_title":"Hon. Timothy Kipchumba","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this very important Bill. I rise to associate myself with the letter, spirit and intent of this particular piece of legislation. The management of cooperative societies is a fully devolved function under the Fourth Schedule of our Constitution. In fact, as I was sitting here, someone sent me a message asking why the National Assembly is enacting a legislation on a function that is fully devolved. Thankfully, I had read Article 186(4) of the Constitution which states: “186(4) For greater certainty, Parliament may legislate for the Republic on any matter.” I am convinced that we are within the “four corners” of the law to legislate on this particular sector of our society, irrespective of the fact that it is a devolved function. I am satisfied that the House is well-founded and well-placed to enact a law on cooperative societies. Those societies inform the socio-economic prosperity of this country. If we run our societies well, I have no doubt that this country will enjoy economic prosperity. Looking at the intent of the Bill as per the Long Title, it is very clear that it is meant to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Cooperative Development at the national level of the Government, and the Office of the County Director for Cooperatives in each county government; to provide for promotion, registration and regulation of cooperatives; to provide for inter-governmental cooperative relations; and for connected purposes. When these societies were devolved under the Fourth Schedule, the county governments never wanted an office to be created at the national level. Now that we have this particular piece of legislation which has given a clear legal framework, it means, therefore, that the county governments shall work closely in consonance with the national Government to ensure that..."},{"id":1495599,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495599/?format=json","text_counter":483,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Thika Town, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a","speaker":null,"content":" On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Farah Maalim): What is your point of order, Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a?"},{"id":1495600,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495600/?format=json","text_counter":484,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Thika Town, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise under Standing Order 35. We need proper quorum because the Bill that we are discussing today is very important and we all need to be here to discuss it. Looking at the mood of the House, I can say we do not have enough numbers."},{"id":1495601,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495601/?format=json","text_counter":485,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Farah Maalim","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":{"id":16,"legal_name":"Farah Maalim Mohamed","slug":"farah-maalim"},"content":" Fair enough. You are right, we do not have a Quorum. I direct the Quorum Bell to be rung for ten minutes."}]}