I think Hon. John Kiarie had eight minutes left. Is he here? Is there any other Member who will speak on his behalf? He was continuing. I think we can move to the next one on the list, who is Hon. Beatrice Elachi.

Hon. Kiarie, you had eight minutes to finish moving your Motion. Are you ready?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to continue moving this Motion. It intends to implore on the Members of Parliament to consider expanding the mandate of National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). Therefore, it is able to do more in addition to what it does. This is because we know that, at the moment, it is mandated to undertake issues of education, security infrastructure, a bit of youth development in sports and environment.

This Motion seeks to implore Members of Parliament to consider expanding the mandate of the NG-CDF to take up the development of skills and provision of tools for artists, artisans and innovation. When I started moving, I indicated that each and every Member in this House knows of a case in his or her constituency of a great innovator who has a challenge of showing their innovation to the world because of lack of funds. We know that Kenya has innovative artists and artisans. In my Constituency, if you drive from Dagoretti Corner all the way to the bypass at Lenana School, you will see the road lined up with wares paraded by artisans who are craftsmen. What you see at the front is just the shop, but what happens at the back is what I would call a training academy because there are so many apprentices who are learning from the craftsmen, traders and artisans. The innovations coming from those youths do not see the light of day because they have small challenges in acquiring tools and developing their skills. The intent of this Motion is to call to us as Members of Parliament to think of a way of funding the development of skills, apprenticeship and provision of tools, just as we do for sports. Hon. Deputy Speaker, currently, there is a legislative proposal before this House which intends to make the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) a bit more robust. We intend to even improve on the monies that will go to the NG-CDF. Even as we approve the legislative proposal, what else can we bring on board? I told this House that we are in an era where ideas are currency and where each individual shall be remunerated commensurate with the problems that they solve. The problem-solvers of our time are innovators. What support are they getting today? None at all. Not from the Government, corporate Kenya or even from us, as Members of Parliament. We have seen instances where innovations have been supported. For example, corporates in Kenya have hackathons. Out of those hackathons, we have had young people develop applications and solutions. In Dagoretti South Constituency, we have a school feeding programme where the meal card is an electric armband that young children wear to school. That armband is fed to an application such that when a parent pays for the meal at lunchtime, you can scan the armband and tell how much money the child has for lunch. The case I am making is that when we support innovation, the youth in Kenya can leapfrog to the front of the pile in terms of innovation. I made a great case for this Motion during the time I had in the last session. I do not want to take more time. I would just like to implore Members of Parliament to support this Motion by considering the artisans, artists and innovators in your constituencies and see the case for supporting them through the NG-CDF. 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.

I had spoken earlier about what is in your hand. I had talked about the Moses of the Bible. When he was called, he said that he did not have anything with him and he did not know how to speak. The Good Lord said to Moses: “What is it that you are holding in your hand?” Moses said that he was holding a rod or a staff. He was told to take that rod and lead his people out of captivity. To the Hon. Members in this House, you have the NG-CDF in your hand. We can expand the mandate of that Fund so that we can support our artists, artisans and innovators. What will happen? By supporting our artists, we will curb the problem of Kenya being a net importer of innovation, products and the things that we use. We can start developing appropriate technology that is region-specific to our area, so that we can stop importing technology from India, China and Europe that is not appropriate for Kenya. If we support our artists, artisans and innovators, we can develop region-specific technology that is fit for such a time. The Government is commited to digitising and automating its functions. We want to build a robust and creative digital economy. How about we start by supporting the digital and creative economy by expanding the mandate of the NG-CDF to support our artists, artisans and innovators. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we are in the 4th industrial revolution and Kenya can actually be a leader of the world at this time. I leave it at that so that we can have more time for Members of Parliament to debate the Motion. I beg to move the Motion and call upon Hon. (Prof.) Phylis Bartoo to second. Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Member for Moiben Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to second this Motion by Hon. John Kiarie. This Motion is very timely when the NG-CDF is at stake. The Fund is under threat from very interesting quarters. The intention of the Fund was to bring about the socio-economic development of constituencies in Kenya and to correct the imbalances which had been there. It has been doing a good job. As much as we know that the NG-CDF will remain, it is high time that we expanded its mandate so that it can capture other issues which support development in our constituencies. The NG-CDF has helped with school infrastructure, security and many other things. For the past one week and this week, Members have debated on the successes of the Fund. Our artisans are not supported by the Fund. That is why we need to get a small percentage of the NG-CDF “cake” to support innovators. There are those who have gone through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs). I am sure that there is a technical college in almost every county or constituency. For example, in Moiben Constituency, we have Koshin Technical Training Institute and Moiben Technical and Vocational College which have been churning out many trainees. Unfortunately, once they are out there, they have excellent skills and good innovations, but they need to be supported. Their hands have to be held. We are looking at a country where there is a lot of unemployment. We need to industrialise this country so that we can reduce the burden of unemployment. In support of that, how then do we fast-track this process so that we clear the issue of unemployment? Those artisans belong to the informal sector; and we know that the informal sector supports our economy in a big way. All along, we have concentrated on taking people to the higher institutions of learning at the expense of those who graduate from technical colleges. The informal sector is an industry that almost survived the COVID-19 season in as much as they struggled. They, however, managed to come out of it. We need to look at this industry and support it. I am sure all of us encountered young people during our campaign period displaying their wares, trying to get the attention of politicians, hoping that we could support them in one 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.

way or another. We no longer want to subject them to such situations. I wish we could consider them under the NG-CDF so that they can improve on their innovations, earn a source of livelihood and also, create employment for others. In Moiben Constituency, for example, we have one part which is in town with artisans who do a lot of innovations. They do not even have space to operate, and are at the mercy of the well-wishers who create space for them and sometimes, they get thrown out by the Kanjoso r the city askaris. If only we can support them in a small way, those are people who are already motivated and are ready to take-off. If we apportion something for them to take-off, it is equivalent to giving them wings to fly. I am sure they will go a long way. We are not asking for too much; we are asking for an additional 2 per cent, now that 2 per cent has been apportioned to the environment. We are just asking for another small percentage to cater for those artisans to enable them create employment for themselves, and employ others too. I am imagining how many people would be absorbed in that market. We are also exploring ways of giving them opportunities to be registered by NITA. Some of them have undergone training, but without any documentation to support the knowledge they have acquired. For example, we have mechanics who have volunteered to work in workshops and have not gone to any formal school, but are very competent. They understand their work, and can perform their duties well. Unfortunately, they do not have anything to show. They cannot even go and bid for tenders because they do not have requisite documentation. If they can be factored in this Fund, we can partner with institutions like NITA so that they are trained for one or two weeks and be given certificates so that when tenders are advertised, they can be in a position to bid, and hence, get capital to advance their work. This will support them in a big way. Apportioning NG-CDF to those people is equivalent to improving the status of the society, and job creation will increase in a very exponential way. The NG-CDF has been part of our society for a long time, and has become a right - human and basic right to the people. I equate anything that affects NG-CDF to the violation of human rights of our constituents. Let us, therefore, expand it so that it caters for every other Member. I second and I support this Motion. I also welcome the Members of Parliament to debate, and give it the attention it deserves. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

On a point of order.

Member for Endebess, what is your point of order?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Considering that this is a very interesting Motion with a lot of support from Members, many of whom would want to contribute… We have some First Term Members who are yet to make their Maiden Speech. I would, therefore, request that each Member speak for five minutes to this Motion so that we allow as many Members as possible to contribute to it. Thank you.

While I am still on my feet, I wish to recognise the presence of our guests seated in the Public Gallery. We have students from Diwopa Catholic Primary 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.

School, Embakasi Central Constituency, Nairobi County. I also wish to recognise the presence of students from Moi Ndabi Secondary School, Naivasha Constituency in Nakuru County.

I now give the Floor to the Member for North Imenti.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I support the Motion by Hon. John Kiarie on the empowerment of artisans by the national Government. This Motion is very timely because we have so many innovators among our youth, but they have a problem in accessing funding. We are aware that we have the Uwezo Fund, but it is very limited in the sense that it has to be given to a group of people and not an individual. The rule of the Fund is that it can only be given to groups of youths who should be 10 to 15 in number. It can also be given to anybody under the age of 35 for males but, for females, it can go up to 100 years old. Therefore, we need to devise a way in which the Youth Fund can be given to innovators at a concessionary rate, and not interest rates, just like the case in Uwezo Fund. Uwezo Fund does not attract any interest, and it is payable in two years. The other thing is to borrow what we do in the NG-CDF, where we give 2.5 per cent to environment and sports. We could also give the 2.5 per cent to a kitty which would assist these innovators. I believe it is achievable. There is a programme on television here in Kenya and in the United Kingdom (UK) where investors come together and fund innovators to do what they can do best. This is because you do not necessarily have to be educated for you to innovate and fill the gap that is in the market. I think we can improve such programmes in our country. Even as we support them to be innovative, we should also help to patent their work. This will ensure that the patent is protected not just in Kenya, but all over the world. We need to have a good patent system so that new innovations in Kenya are not copied, either in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Bangladesh or India. This is necessary so that we can protect our innovators for good. If this Motion goes through, I wish it could be turned into a Bill by Hon. Kiarie. In this way, the Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives can take it up so that our people can get this money as soon as possible. The money should not just be through the NG-CDF, Uwezo or Youth Fund, but any other fund that the Government will establish - even the Hustlers’ Fund - so that innovators can be given this money to do their work. I believe that once we get the innovators off the ground, we will reduce the level of unemployment in this country. This is because the youth who know what to do will be engaged in fruitful ways of getting money and making use of their knowledge and expertise. The proposer of this Motion, Hon. Kiarie, talked about the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). The institution is there but it needs to be strengthened so that we do not get employers just paying NITA for the sake of paying and yet, there is no real training on the ground. NITA has been here for some time now, but I have never heard about the number of graduates from there that have come into the job market. We need to strengthen a lot of things, including setting up a stand-alone fund for those artisans. Once the Fund is there, there will be an authority to manage it and we can then move forward and get our people employed. I want to join others and request my colleagues to congratulate Hon. Kiarie and support the Motion wholeheartedly, so that we can get this off the ground. I urge that the Fund be based at the constituency level because that is what will assist our people since we know what they need. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I congratulate Hon. Kiarie once again.

Hon. Titus Lotee.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to congratulate Hon. KJ for moving this Motion on the Floor of the House. This is with regards to supporting the artisans through the NG-CDF and all the other Government funding. At the 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.

outset, I want to clearly state that all the innovations that we are using in this country, including all the technologies, are all foreign and dependent on foreign innovators. The only innovation that is domiciled in Kenya and is Kenyan made, is the artisan technology. I am standing here to support this Motion so that we can look at all the other avenues of supporting the artisans. I know that there is a proposal to take 2.5 per cent from the NG-CDF to develop our artisans, but I think if allowed, it is important that we put more monies into it. This is because those are the technologies that we want to continue developing. I rise to support the artisans based on the following grounds: We need to preserve our cultures because most of the artisan technology that we are seeing in this country is developed based on the cultures that we are in. Most of our artisans actually look at the environment and build products from those environments. So, if we want to continue building our cultures, then we will need to develop our artisans. For example, the Maasai shuka has gained a global fame because it is one of the things that has actually been seen as a promoter of our culture. So, unless we want to build this culture of improving our artisans, we might as well forget all about our culture. I support. In Kacheliba Constituency where I come from, there is clothing called Lorwa which I mentioned during my maiden speech. This traditional clothing is gaining attraction in Kenya and Uganda. It is an artisan project that we need to develop. Unless we get money to put here, those kinds of artisans may not get the traction that they need.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is sad to note that some of the artisans’ products that have been produced before have been sold in foreign countries, and those countries have claimed ownership. Look at the product called kiondo for example. I am told that it was taken by Japanese and it became their product yet, it was developed by our local artisans. The reason why the Japanese took this product is because our artisans were so powerless to develop, patent and market their product. Therefore, for us to continue developing and protecting our artisans and the products they are producing, we need to put money into it. It should not only 2 per cent of the NG-CDF, but more than that. If we do not put resources into our artisans, then we are going to fail terribly. If you look at the innovation on Safaricom M-pesa, that was actually a Kenyan made product, it has gained global traction. It was taken from Kenyans by those who had money to protect, consume it and replicate it as well and call it their own. Unless we put resources into our artisans, we will be losing a lot of our products to those that have got the funding.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is high time we look at this country and start exporting products as well, and not just export leaders. We have exported Barack Obama to the United States of America (USA) and Rishi Sunak as the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister. Yet, we cannot export our artisan products. Why is it so? It is because we put a lot of our money into building our education systems and not our products. I think, as long as we laugh at the products that we produce in this country, we will continue laughing until when we decide no; that unless we put resources into these products, they cannot be anything. As we speak today, we have got more 1,500 vocational training centers and over 400,000 students and pupils in those centers. Why are we putting a lot of resources in training those people if we are not putting resources for them to export and utilize the knowledge that they have got.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I rise to support this Bill to say that unless we put money into it, the Lorwas I am talking about from Kacheliba and the Shangas that we are exporting from this country will be taken and owned by other countries. We will all go to waste. I support Hon. John Kiarie and I want to thank him for sporting this because we need to have our artisans recognised and supported. I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

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We would encourage constituents to develop a studio. If they can have studios in every constituency…

Equip those studios with good facilities and encourage the local talents in any field, whether it is in music or any form of production. We have Kenyan youth who would want to engage in film production. We have those who have talents in singing and developing various things like vehicles and software. We have those who have talents in agriculture and climate mitigation measures. So, putting 2 per cent of our allocations in the NG-CDF for talent development is too little to ask, but it is a good start for us. We will start from somewhere with that 2 per cent. In line with putting that 2 per cent, we have put up Information Communication Technology (ICT) hubs. For example, in Endebess I have one ICT hub with about 47 computers, where youths in the constituency can come and be taught through the Ministry of ICT on how to engage in getting jobs. It will be better if we can develop a studio for them, where those who are musicians and church choirs can come and record their music, develop, market it, and sell it. So, Hon. Kiarie, 2 per cent may be too little, but it is a good start. Therefore, I support you in that line, and I hope that other Members will support. The terms of the Motion say: “…Parliament resolves…” So, if it resolves so, the resolution should be implemented by the NG-CDF Committee after some amendments are done in the regulations so that it is workable. With those few remarks. I support.

Hon. Yusuf Hassan, Member for Kamukunji.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to support the Motion brought by the brilliant young Member for Dagoretti South, who is an artist himself. This is a timely and important Motion given the fact that, as a country, we have an advantage of benefitting from our youth. We have one of the youngest populations in the world. By investing in that young population, we could turn what can be a crisis into a boom. In other words, we can make young people productive contributors to the economy. Innovators, creators and talented people are out there. Technology, culture and arts can be an entry point for us, as a country, to lift our economy and create an opportunity for this country to become developed. I was just looking at how much countries like the United States of America (USA) benefit from the production of art, and cultural goods and services. In the USA, arts and culture add 4.3 per cent directly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a total of US$1 trillion a year. This amount is much bigger than anything that is offered by the American industry like construction and mining industries. The arts and culture sector contribute more to the GDP of the USA than anything else. For us, given the fact that we have an abundant number of innovators, creators and talented people, we can leapfrog into the Fourth Industrial Revolution by investing in our youth and putting money to promote that. I speak as a Member who has the largest art and culture centre in Nairobi, the Nairobi Craft Centre in Shaurimoyo Majengo. This is a big production centre that is not productive in the sense that it does not get the investment that it requires. I support the Motion that we support our innovators and artisans. We should benefit from that in the digital age. Two per cent is not enough, but it is a good beginning. This is a good Motion that we should support. This is an area where the Government should invest in so that we can turn our young people into a productive force to contribute to the economy, rather than becoming 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.

criminals and people who undermine our economy. One of the biggest challenges we face in this country is unemployment. If we can fix the problem of unemployment, then we can fix many of our economic problems. Hon. KJ’s Motion will make a major contribution in denting that unemployment problem that we have in the country and our capital city. Therefore, I support it.

Hon. Rindikiri, Member for Buuri Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. First, I want to thank my colleague, Hon. KJ, for bringing this Motion. The term “artisan” refers to a worker who practises trade or handcraft. They are called craftsmen. They are skilled and semi- skilled. We have so many young people in this country. Some of them have never been given an opportunity to exploit their talents, either in singing, making items or trading in items. They have not been identified, funded and supported accordingly. So, this Motion comes in handy. This Motion is timely because through it we, will have a way of looking for funding for interested young people. We all come from constituencies with very many young people. Some of them are dancers, some make things with their own hands, and some trade in items found in their locality. I support the allocation of 2 per cent of the NG-CDF to them. But that is not enough. I wish we could raise it to 5 per cent to cover a big number of the youth.

In Buuri Constituency, there are very many items and products that, given an opportunity, the people would use and make an income from. It is shameful for us to allocate only 2 per cent of funds to the largest population of this country. I wish the mover of the Motion proposed an allocation of at least 10 per cent borrowed from the NG-CDF, Women Enterprise Fund and Youth Enterprise Development Fund so that we have a bigger pool. We are dealing with a very big population. If funded well, these people will not only have an opportunity for innovation, but will also create employment for others. They will create infrastructure development in centres they will be operating from. They will provide entertainment. They will make a majority of young people, who are into drugs and alcoholism, active in the society. This Motion has come at the right time when the Hustler Fund is being instituted by the Government. I hope that the Fund will target the youth. I, therefore, ask the mover of the Motion to consider lobbying for allocation of much of the Hustler Fund to artisans. I hope Hon. KJ is listening. If that is done, we will prevent a lot of bad things amongst the youth from happening in this country. I am sure that this Motion will be passed by Members. Once it is approved, we will have the responsibility of implementing it. This is a great Motion. I want to remind this House that a majority of Chinese companies that have become multinationals today were all started by artisans. They were small companies, but they have grown to making big things like tiles. If we support these hustlers, they will make a serious base for the economy of this country. I beg to support. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi, Member for Westlands Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to add my voice to this Motion. First, I congratulate my friend and neighbour, Hon. Kiarie, for bringing this Motion. Way back before devolution took centre stage, there were vocational colleges being funded by the NG-CDF. The colleges were then devolved to the responsibility of county governments. These are some of the centres where we use the NG- CDF to support young people who are ready to acquire skills that they can use to develop themselves.

When the NG-CDF was removed, these colleges stalled. Enrolment has completely gone down. I asked the NG-CDF Board to allow the NG-CDF to continue funding these colleges so that we can enrol the youth. Today, if you go around looking for a plumber or an electrician, it will be very difficult to find one. The youth are now operating motorcycles 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.

instead of training as technicians. Successive governments after former President Moi completely destroyed middle-level colleges and upgraded them to universities. This has created a vacuum. These are the colleges where the youth who drop out of schools are supposed to go, to learn and develop skills.

Steve Jobs created Apple gadgets. He designed them in his own room. The same gadgets from the US are now the leading gadgets in the world. As one Member said, the person who created M-Pesa was a Kenyan youth, who then sold the idea to Safaricom. It has now become a revolution in the whole world. Investing in innovation brings out creativity of the youth. Countries like China and Korea developed by investing heavily in innovation and skills development.

The Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) that the government has started needs to be supported. We are going to use it to develop talent. When the USA discovers talent in someone, it isolates that person and nurtures the talent. If you give young people a mobile phone or a laptop, they come up with many things. They can create, design and do all manner of things with just those gadgets. I, therefore, support that we invest in empowering our artisans. The NG-CDF, Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund and others can be used to support artisans. I know some of them are self-made. The kind of work a person without formal education can do is amazing.

Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Member for Kwanza.

Thank you for the chance, Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Kiarie for coming up with this Motion. My take is that once this goes through, we would want Hon. Kiarie to make it into a Bill and create a department. Because if we just have this Motion passed and we fund it through the NG-CDF or Uwezo Fund, that may be messy, and not a very good directive. This Bill is very good and it will help because Kenyans are very creative. Recently, a colleague and I went on a trip to Korea, where we were asked to carry Maasai shukas . We were supposed to go with the Maasai shukas because they have seen them, and they are very admirable elsewhere. This is a creation from this country. If you go to the Bomas of Kenya, you will see how they dance and sing. We have the best singers in this country compared to even the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So, we have talent here, but it is wasted. From where I sit, once this has gone through – and I can see the House is very supportive of this Motion – I would suggest that we do one thing, make it into a department. This department can be housed either in the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Industry or whatever it is depending on the wisdom of this House, so that the youth are not disadvantaged. It is not only the youth; there are many other people above 38 years who are very creative out there. That is the only way we can be able to have this particular Motion. I hope that my colleague, Hon. John Kiarie, is listening. We will pick it up and we will work together so that we do not just talk. So many other things have been mentioned. Those of us who do not know, Safaricom was created by our own youths sometimes back, and now it has taken over many countries. We now have it in Ethiopia and everywhere else. I went to the Middle East and Safaricom is there, a creation of our own youths. Therefore, that is what we should do, and that is the way to go ahead of these people who come and take some of our talents and sell them elsewhere. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I also want to mention that apart from creating that, we also want to make sure that from now onwards, once it is anchored in the Constitution, nothing can be copied out there without paying for it. This is because anything that we see out there is paid for, and anything that is new to the world is paid for because it is talent. Some of the youth in my area, for example, are running all over the place and whatever they create is amazing. 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.

With those few remarks, I support the Motion. Hopefully, we will make it a Bill and pass it, and the best thing is to make it a department that can look after these talents and skills which are protected from malicious people.

Hon Racheal Nyamai, Member for Kitui South.

Thank you very much, Hon Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support this Motion by Hon. Kiarie. First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank him for taking up what he did when he was in school many years ago. Hon. KJ is one the examples of young people who started being artists very early in life, and he is still doing very well even as a Member. Hon. Deputy Speaker, this Motion focuses on getting 2 per cent and ring-fencing it from the NG-CDF allocation to ensure that this money goes to support our local artisans. I would like to encourage Hon. Kiarie, as he says that he is going to focus on the youth, women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs). It is true that these are the most talented people that we have even in our 290 constituencies in this country. As we do this, we can push our agenda on the women, because most women and the youth are highly committed because they are quite innovative. We have seen examples of countries where young people started small projects as local artisans, and these projects have translated into huge companies that have brought in revenue to their countries. I would like to encourage Hon. Kiarie to also be a good example to these young people. We have seen many projects and programmes where young people are called and trained in very good talk-shows, but they do not get to close deals for business. So, I would like to encourage him to be one of those, among other MPs who are talented, who can volunteer their time to ensure that our young people are not only being trained, but they are also given the skills to cut deals so that they do not only come up with very beautiful projects, programmes, and food products which do not translate into money. I would also like to focus on double training, where when young people are trained, they can be exposed to international programmes where they can see the success of others so that they learn from them. As they do that, they will be promoting their YouTube channels for those who have already learnt, and can start their own start-ups that can also be pushed to make huge returns. As we train the artisans, we can encourage them to invest in their local communities. We have seen examples of groups that started small and grow to become Savings and Credit Co-Operative Society (SACCOS) that start buying land. I have seen a small group that started buying land and they have become a very big investor in the community. So, as we focus on artisanship, we can also push towards purchasing properties within communities and encouraging many more other people to apply. Most of the artisans do sculptures, others do carvings like in my community, where we have seen the Kisii Community who are very good in moulding the soft stone; and we have seen wonderfully woven fabrics being done by our Luo. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I know that you have discouraged mentioning of people by their tribes, but I am just trying to use examples so that we can relate the talents to the owners. For example, the Luo are very good in making fabric. Our Maasai brothers and sisters make breath-taking décor using beads for the neck, hands and feet. Hon Deputy Speaker, I would like to encourage Hon John Kiarie. This is a very good Motion and it needs to be supported and given the 2 per cent, which should be ring-fenced so as to ensure that it is not taken by other projects like tree-planting – which is equally good but artisanship is extremely good. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon Owen Baya, MP Kilifi North Constituency. 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.

Thank you Hon Deputy Speaker. First, I congratulate my brother and friend Hon. KJ for introducing this Motion. Secondly, many artisans are people that have good talents and do wonderful work. Every time they meet a Member of Parliament (MP), they tell them that they do not have capital and that they want to record a song, but do not have money to go to the studio. Or that they want to shoot a video but do not have money to hire a video camera to go and shoot the video. So, what is the problem with our talents? They have not been supported financially, and that is where the problem is. I want to congratulate Hon. KJ because he has put it rightly, that we want to give them 2 per cent of the NG-CDF and other funds; and that is where we will get a solution to the problem. I have many people who design very beautiful gates and they have the skills, they have been trained, they even have the market, but they will tell you that they want only Ksh20,000 to fabricate a gate and sell at Ksh60,000 and make a profit of Ksh40,000. With the Ksh40,000, he can make another four gates, but they lack that Ksh20,000 to start them off. Hon. Kiarie has hit the nail on the head. We need to give them the money to do the job that they can do very well.

Where do we get the money? The NG-CDF has many components, and one of them is environment. Putting in 2 per cent to support that talent is very important. The NG-CDF Act says that you cannot confer a direct benefit to an individual. That, therefore, locks out giving the money to individuals. However, I ask myself a question. When I give bursaries, what do I do? I confer a direct benefit to an individual. Someone comes and says that she can make very beautiful dresses, and then requests me to buy her a sewing machine. I tell her that the NG- CDF Act does not allow me to do that. We, therefore, need to amend it. This Motion should be the precursor for us to go to the NG-CDF Regulations, change them and put the 2 per cent for supporting artisans, people with talents and our young people who yearn to make a difference in their lives without following around an MP or politician to make money. That is the only way we can help this country.

We talk about the Hustlers Fund. During the campaigns, you saw very many young people moving around with MPs and politicians. What were they looking for? At the end of the day, they wanted Ksh1,000 or Ksh2,000. If we empower these people through the NG-CDF kitty, Uwezo Fund and all these other institutions that have funds, there will be more people producing for this country. That way, we will grow the GDP of this country. Look at what happens in other countries. If you have an idea, you can walk into a bank, sell it and then the bank or a financial institution will give you the money to promote it. An idea is not a collateral in this country. It is not something that can give you funds. However, this Motion by Hon. John Kiarie tells us that a good idea is bankable and can get funding. It can be progressed to something that is commercial. When it is commercialised, people make money. They put it in the pocket, put food on their tables and educate their children. That is the way to go; support them.

Millions of young people in this country are only looking for one thing, which is capital. They have the market. We have many young people who do very nice skits. I follow one person who is called Mr Victor Naman. I do not know whether you know of Ujinga ya Victor Naman. He is a very interesting guy who is extremely talented. If you have a problem during the day and you want to sleep well, please watch Mr Victor Naman. He will make you laugh and sleep very well at night because he provides you with comic relief. However, if we give him and others like him capital from our NG-CDF kitty, they can do better, promote their talents and make a lot of money. They cannot host a big show like Churchill. However, if they have some capital, they can promote their talents across the country like Mr Churchill and Mr Eric Omondi and make money.

As we pass this Motion and move forward, we need to go to the regulations of the NG- CDF, tinker them, change them and allocate money – whether 2 or 5 per cent – just to support 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.

the millions of young people who require funding for their talents and artisanship. That way, this country’s GDP will go up, we will have less insecurity and develop talent in this country. Actually, the highest earners in this world are artists. The billionaires in the USA are artists. We can create our own here by supporting them and giving them the capital to do what they can do best. We will grow our GDP and the hustlers will rise. This country will become what we want it to be.

I thank Hon. Deputy Speaker and Hon. John Kiarie.

Hon. Irene Mayaka, nominated Member to represent the youth.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I also stand to support this Motion by Hon. John Kiarie. We live in a country that, for the longest time, has over-glorified white-collar jobs. Every young person out there believes that for you to make it in this country, you must have a white-collar job. This is a very wrong perspective that we have out here. The reason for this again is because of lack of such motions that intentionally promote artisans and people who have natural talents to prosper in this country.

I know Hon. John Kiarie will be very instrumental in ensuring that we have an administrative process that enables us to have this particular Motion put in place in the right way. Before the NG-CDF is ring-fenced to ensure that it supports these young people, do we have a database in our different constituencies? Do we know how many different skilled people we have in our different constituencies? That should be the first step. Every constituency in this country has access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. However, they have not been utilised properly. That is also another step. The artisans with various skill sets have the advantage of being trained.

The other thing that we need to do is to establish a Buy Kenya-Build Kenya Strategy, where we have exhibitions in place that enable artisans from different skill sets to showcase what they have. Let us also not forget the fact that we are a country that is very innovative in nature. Majority of our people are on social media platforms. We need to take advantage of these platforms to penetrate the rest of the country to showcase some of the talents we have. I come from Gusii area; Nyamira and Kisii counties, where we have some of the best artists, workers and musicians in this country. However, most of these people have not discovered that they can actually make a lot of money through the online platforms. I can use an example of one artiste called Diamond, who uses the YouTube Channel to showcase his music. He uploads a new song and within one hour, so many people view it. He ends up making money through this Channel.

Therefore, as we seek to ensure that we pass this Motion and allocate 2 per cent of the NG-CDF and Uwezo Fund which was suggested by the Hon. Member, we must also be ready to be open-minded. We should consider the fact that we cannot only promote our artistes through the home-grown resources but also, we can use the online platforms that we have. I think 2 per cent of the NG-CDF and Uwezo Fund is on the low side. We should have a higher percentage for this. As I said when I began, we do not have any more white-collar jobs in this country. We are trying to encourage our young people to be employers and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) so that they can also employ other people and use this mechanism of being artisans to grow our economy.

As I finish, one Hon. Member mentioned about the Gusii artisans who use soapstone. This is one thing that is unfortunately dying in our spaces because it has not been significantly promoted. Therefore, as I take my seat, I would like to congratulate Hon. John Kiarie again for bringing this Motion. I urge all of us to support it, because this is the right way to go. Let us encourage ourselves and ensure that we buy products from Kenya and build our country.

I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Mishi Mboko, Member for Likoni. 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.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. At the onset, I want to congratulate Hon. Kiarie for coming up with this Motion. There has been a significant increase in the number of Kenyan youths who are involved in the artisan industry. This is an area where we can create a lot of employment. This is the time when we need to shift the youth from being employees to being employers by creating their industries.

I will talk about handicraft. I come from Mombasa County, where we have a small industry by the Akamba Community. We call it the Akamba Handicraft Industry. They have employed several Kenyans in that small industry although they do not have financial access so as to strengthen it to employ more Kenyans. When we talk about painting, we see that Kenyans do many colourful artworks that display our traditions and many other issues. This is an area where if more funds are put in, people can create employment. I agree it is important that we take 2 per cent of the NG-CDF and give it to the youths through training. As MPs, we have created the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, where our youths acquire several artisanal skills. Artisans have experienced many challenges—one of them being the globalisation of products. They encounter a lot of competition in pricing because Kenya has also been one of the countries where the developed world dump their cheap products. Hon. Speaker if we do not emphasise on the concept of “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya”, we will not reduce the big burden of importation. Where I come from, some youths have ventured into the filming industry but they do not have funding. This is a problem. Because the NG- CDF does not cater for social programmes, it becomes very difficult for us to promote them. The other issue is lack of markets. We have come up with different products. Do we have markets? The answer is no. We do not have even the local market. As Kenyans, we need to start embracing our products that have been innovated by our youths. That is the only way we can ensure that our products have market. The other issue is protection of copyright and patent rights of our products. The kiondo is made by the Akamba community. Today there are so many other communities innovating the kiondo and maybe taking its patent rights yet it comes from the Akamba community . Promoting our artisanal works is also a way of ensuring that our cultures are upheld. The Maasai community have their bracelets, earrings and many other things, including drums. These products can create employment and generate income for our country if we put more funds into their production. This area can greatly reduce our import costs, which are in excess of Ksh2 billion. This might look like something small. If we just think outside the box, maybe it can even save the Kenya Kwanza Government agenda of creating employment. We should realise that this is an area in which they need to put more funding. There must be special funding and structures to ensure that this funding trickles down to the grassroot level. In my constituency right now, I have the Susumila and the Chikuzee, who are good musicians. Where are they? They do not have any fortune because they are not recognised. They do not have finances. So, they are just there singing during campaigns.

Hon. Kassim Tandaza, Member for Matuga Constituency.

Asante sana, Mhe. Naibu Spika. Kwanza, nachukua fursa hii kumshukuru Mwenyenzi Mungu aliyetuwezesha sote kuwa hapa. Pia, nawashukuru wakazi wa Matuga kwa ujumla kwa kuniregesha Bungeni kwa mara ya pili. Ninampa kongole Mhe. KJ kwa Miswada na mijadala anayoleta hapa. Moja kwa moja, inaashiria kwamba yeye atakuwa Mbunge wa Dagoretti labda mpaka pale atakapoamua kwenda sehemu nyingine. Yeye huleta mambo ambayo yanaweza kubadilisha nchi hii kwa kubadilisha Wakenya wenye taaluma mbalimbali. Ninachukua hii fursa pia kumwelezea Mhe. KJ kuwa mimi ni Naibu Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya NG-CDF. Sasa hii tunazungumzia hili swala kama mjadala. Mara nyingi suala kama hili huishia hapo tu iwapo limetufikia kama mjadala. Kwa hivyo, ninatoa ombi kwake 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.

aliendeleza suala hili kupitia Mswada. Namuhakikishia KJ kuwa tutalipatia kipao mbele litakapokuja kwenye Kamati ya NG-CDF. Hili ni jambo la muhimu na litaweza kusuluhisha matatizo na kubadilisha tetesi tulizonazo katika maeneo bunge yetu. Ninajua kijana anayeitwa Hassan Noor, ambaye alinialika kwake nyumbani. Nilipofika alinionyesha vile anaweza kugeuza moshi na kuufanya mwangaza wa taa—moshi uleule wa kawaida ambao unapatikana takriban katika kila jumba. Moshi unapatikana katika sehemu zetu nyingi, labda isipokuwa kwa Mhe. KJ, ambaye kwake ni mjini. Pengine hapa hakuna moshi kwa kuwa watu hutumia stima na gesi. Moshi unapatikana katika sehemu ambako Wabunge wengi wanakotoka. Mbali na kuona na kufurahia ujuzi huo, na kumpa chochote akanunue sukari—kama nilikuwa nacho siku hiyo—hakuna jambo jingine zaidi ningeweza kumsaidia kama Mbunge wa eneo lake. Ninajua taaluma kama hizi ziko kila mahali. Tukiangalia katika maeneo ya Pwani, kuna taaluma ya kushona kofia ghali zinazouzwa kwa takribani Ksh20,000 hadi Ksh25,000. Mara nyingi kofia hizo hushonwa na akina mama lakini saa hii imekuwa vigumu kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa usaidizi kutoka kwa Serikali.

Nilipoanza kuzungumza, Mhe. Naibu Spika alikuwa kwenye kiti. Sasa Mhe. Spika wa Muda ndiye aliye kwenye kitini. Nataraji nimehifadhiwa muda wangu kwa kuongezewa dakika sita zaidi kwa sababu ya ule wakati ambao singeweza kuzungumza. Mhe. Spika wa Muda, tunazo taaluma katika sehemu mbalimbali humu nchini—kama vile katika maeneo ya Pwani, na haswa katika eneo Bunge langu la Matuga. Walio na ujuzi wa kushona kofia kama ile Mheshimiwa amevaa pale mbele wako huko. Kofia hiyo huwa inagharimu Ksh20,000 iwapo bei ni rahisi zaidi. Ni kwa sababu sio rahisi kutengeneza kofia ile. Kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa mfumo wa Serikali wa kuhakikisha taaluma kama ile inazalisha kwa wingi, saa hii tuna kofia kama zile ambazo zinatoka Uchina. Unapoziangalia, huwezi kuona tofauti baina yake na kofia ambayo imeshonwa na Mkenya. Ni kwa vile Wachina wamesimamiwa na serikali na mashirika yao, na kwa hivyo kuleta kofia hizo kwa bei rahisi ya Ksh5,000 hadi Ksh6,000.

Hii inamaanisha kwamba iwapo Mkenya aliye na taaluma angekuwa amesaidiwa angeweza kuzalisha na kuuza katika nchi mbalimbali. Hii ingeleta fedha kwake na hata kwa nchi nzima kwa sababu angeweza kuuza bidhaa zake katika nchi za kigeni. Tumeacha taaluma kama hizi zitumiwe na Wachina. Alafu wanaturegeshea bidhaa hiyo kwa bei nafuu. Wanabuni kazi kule kwao ilhali watu wetu wanakosa kazi. Kwa hivyo, Hoja hii ni muhimu ili tuweze kubadilisha sheria ndiyo tupate usimamizi bora utakao wawezesha vijana wetu kutumia taaluma zao. Kama walivyosema walionitangulia, mara nyingi watu wanakuja kwa Wabunge. Inabidi wafanye hivyo kwa sababu hazina tunayozungumzia – kama vile Uwezo Fund, WomenEnterprise Fund na Youth Enterprise Development Fund – ziko maofisini na watu wengi kule vijijini hawazifahamu. Hawana njia ya kuweza kujua lolote kuhusu hazina hizi. Lakini wakati wote, hazina inapomhusu mbunge, kwa sababu yeye mwenyewe hutembea karibu kila mahali, basi moja kwa moja, huwa inanufaisha watu wengi na inawasaidia wale ambao wanahusika zaidi. Kwa sababu muda umekuwa adimu, ningependa kutoa kongole na kusema nauunga mkono Hoja hii ili iweze kuwa sheria ndiyo inufaishe nchi nzima kwa jumla. Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. 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.

Thank you so much. Hon. Members, I am reliably informed that there are those who had logged-in their names before the system went off and then there are those appearing in the new list I have. As you know, I normally follow the list as displayed on the screen but today is an exceptional day. I will juggle between those who had logged-in earlier on before the system went down and those who are in the new list. I will give this chance to Hon. Paul Mwirigi, the Member for Igembe South. He will be followed by Hon. Nyikal. Please, do not raise your hands. I said I have been given a list of those who had logged-in earlier. I will juggle between the two lists. Coming here will not help anybody.

Igembe South, UDA): Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this Motion brought to the House by Hon. KJ. This is the right time to focus on young people. As you know, over 68.5 per cent of the population in this country consists of young people. They are the largest population segment of this country. They are the ones who are hunting for jobs but we rarely provide jobs for them because most companies in this country are saturated. This Motion proposes that we give at least 2 per cent of the NG-CDF to young people. This is a good idea and all of us are supposed to support it and make effort to ensure that we pass it. In my constituency, there are very many talented young people. Some of them are artists and others are artisans. Some do artwork but lack the relevant tools for that job. If we provide funds to such young people, using the NG-CDF, they will have their own tools – which will enable them do their work easily. In order to empower young people, we must bring legislations which will encourage them to sell their products in this country and even export. We all know that we import a lot of things from outside the country yet our young people have the capacity to manufacture similar products. It is the right time to support this Motion and ensure that our young people are catered for and empowered. During the just concluded elections, many young people campaigned for us and we promised to empower them. The future of our young people is bright because we have the NG- CDF, and we are ready to set aside 2 per cent of this Fund to empower them so that they can improve their lives. With those remarks, I beg to support.

Hon. Nyikal.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for retrieving the lost list and giving me this opportunity. I rise to support the Motion as I congratulate the hon. Member who has brought it. I am doing so because it addresses one of the greatest socio-economic challenges in this country – unemployment amongst the youths. Unfortunately, this same challenge is our greatest potential. This is because without addressing youth unemployment and having the youth actively involved in job creation and production, this nation cannot go very far. Unfortunately, our education system in the past completely ignored this area and directed our young people towards white collar jobs. Every young person who leaves university or college looks for a job and does not create one. Innovation, self-employment and job creation has been totally ignored in our education system. As hon. Members may be aware, in the past we had middle-level colleges. Unfortunately, all of them were closed down and turned into universities to mainly offer courses in humanities because they were easy to setup. We lost the opportunity to equip our young people with technical knowledge and skills. We hope the taskforce that has been established in the Ministry of Education will address this matter. 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.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the Motion because it is appropriate and we will use what we have to address the shortcomings we have had before. Empower the NG-CDF, Uwezo Fund and Youth Enterprise Development Fund to support young people is a great innovation. Once again, I congratulate Hon. Kiarie. We can apply the NG-CDF in supporting technical training, skill development as well as providing technology and tools to the youth. Fortunately, as it is now, with the NG-CDF, we can give bursaries to people in TVETs. The only area that we must address is after they have acquired the requisite skills in terms of whether they will be able to get the wherewithal to start their own businesses or engage in activities that will be beneficial to them, even if it is in a small way. I support that we must do this. The Uwezo Fund and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund are designed for groups. My experience in my constituency is that it is very difficult to organise people – not just the youth – into groups because motivation and ambition is never within a group but in an individual. In fact, individuals who seek to move forward are quite often discouraged by group dynamics. If we can change the regulations of the NG-CDF to set aside 2 per cent allocation for youth skill development and later on seek more resources for them through the Budget, it will go a long way to help the youth of this country. This will actually initiate self-employment. Nobody ever creates a job for himself without creating a job for somebody else. Anybody who is self-employed, more often than not, will employ other people. Somebody who is just making a fence has to get somebody to do it. Somebody who is creating art has to get somebody to do it. If such people are properly supported, their effort will have a huge multiplier effect. When they start to generate businesses, the supply chain will come in handy to support them. It is good that we are resolving to set aside funds for development of technical skills amongst youths. I hope that once we pass this Motion, Hon. Kiarie will follow it up through the Select Committee on Implementation to ensure that the NG-CDF implements it. With those remarks, I support the Motion hoping that we will look for even more funds to support this area.

Hon. Yusuf Adan of Mandera West.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I have really waited this morning. I rise to support the Motion by Hon. Kiarie. It is very timely. The youth are the majority in the country and unemployment is at serious levels. It is very dangerous to continue having unemployed youths, even from a security point of view. Jobs are easily available among artisans. As soon as they get the skills and the tools required, jobs are always there. Jobs requiring artisanal skills are in every country. Artisans are very important in our economy. They produce affordable, durable and user-friendly wares all over. Artisans need only two things to develop. The first thing is support in terms of finance, in respect of which Hon. KJ has proposed setting aside 2 per cent of the NG-CDF for them. Another source of funds for them is the Hustler Fund, which His Excellency the President will launch on 1st December 2022. That is very appropriate and we can get adequate funding for artisans. Nobody is more of a hustler than the artisans themselves. About 50 per cent of the Hustler Fund should go towards supporting artisans. Hon. Temporary Speaker, artisans are very important in our day-to-day lives. A lot of the raw materials that we produce in this country go to waste because our artisans are not supported. They do not have the requisite skill and tools to work with. For example, in Mandera West Constituency, where I come from, we slaughter thousands of goats, cattle, sheep and camels in our slaughterhouses every morning to supply meat to town. Unfortunately, all the hides and skins are thrown away because the artisans who used to produce leather belts, shoes and masalas are no longer able to do so because they have not developed skills and they do not 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.

have the necessary tools for the job. Imagine importing toothpicks from China when we have many trees and artisans around. This is just because we have not done the right things. With those remarks, I support the Motion hoping that it will progress into a Bill for enactment into law that will be implemented to the letter.

Thank you so much. This chance goes to Hon. Kakai Bisau, wherever he is. You can speak from wherever you are. You will be given the microphone wherever you are. There is a microphone coming to you. Just relax.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I thank Mheshimiwa Kiarie for bringing this Motion. It is very important because we have not given opportunities to the great minds and innovators that we have in the country. When talking about artisans, we should look at the “software” such as musicians, actors and others while at the same time we look at the “hardware”. This will ensure that once these funds are approved, there will be no challenges in terms of the definition of the beneficiaries. We would like these funds to be availed but the proposed allocation of 2 per cent of the NG-CDF is on the lower side. I believe that, from the other affirmative action funds that are coming up, like the Hustler Fund, we should be thinking of something like 10 or 15 per cent being put aside for this purpose. Ho. Temporary Speaker, I wish we give this Motion the priority it deserves considering that there are great Motions that have previously been passed in this House but have ended up gathering dust in shelves in some offices. This Motion should cover the “software”, which includes musicians and actors, as well as those who use their hands to create things. Lastly, even as we pass this Motion as lawmakers, we must walk the talk. In most cases, you find that we have preference for imported goods. We like commodities which are made outside our jurisdiction. We are even talking about clothing. We need to focus on clothes and utensils that are made locally, such as those from Kaluworks. We need to walk the talk as lawmakers. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you. Let us hear Hon. Mboni Mwalika of Kitui Rural. If he is not in the House, let us give this chance to Hon. Danson Mwashako of Wundanyi.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipatia nafasi ya kuunga mkono Hoja iliyoletwa na ndugu yangu, Mhe. Kiarie. Hoja hii inapendekeza kuangaziwa kwa maslahi ya wasanii wetu, na haswa suala la kuwapatia fedha za kuwawezesha kukuza vipaji vyao. Hoja hii imekuja wakati unaofaa kwa maana tuko na shida kubwa ya ukosefu wa kazi humu nchini. Vijana wengi humu nchini wamesoma lakini hawana ajira. Wengi wao wako na talanta tofauti tofauti ambazo kama zingeweza kufadhiliwa, tungekuwa tumepunguza ukosefu wa kazi. Inafaa pia ijulikane kwamba Mhe. John Kiarie, ambaye ameleta Hoja hii, alikuwa mbunifu sana katika mambo ya usanii alipokuwa chuo Kikuu. Alikuwa na kikundi kilichoitwa Redykyulass. Tulipokuwa naye katika Chuo Kikuu cha Kenyatta, tulimuenzi sana. Kupitia juhudi zake, leo hii ninaweza kusema kwamba msanii anapofikia kiwango cha kuweza kushiriki kwenye utunzi wa sheria na

, anawakumbuka wenzake walioko nyuma. Bila shaka, Bunge la Taifa limepata mtu muhimu anayezingatia maslahi ya wasanii, na haswa vijana wetu ambao wako na vipawa. Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye aliyekuwa msanii wa kwanza. Yeye ndiye kielelezo kikuu cha ubunifu unaoendelea mpaka hivi leo. Mwenyezi Mungu aliweza kuumba dunia na vyote vilivyomo ndani yake, akiwemo binadamu. Ameumba vitu vyote tunavyoviona na vile tusivyoviona. Kila alichofanya Mwenyezi Mungu kilikuwa sanaa ya hali ya juu sana. Ninaamini kwamba usanii uko na baraka fulani kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. 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.

Sisi, kama Wajumbe, tuko na jukumu kubwa la kuwashika mikono vijana wetu walio na ubunifu aina mbali mbali. Mara nyingi tunapozungumzia usanii, watu wengi hufikiri tunazungumzia waimbaji peke yake. Cha muhimu ni watu wajue kuwa tuko pia na sanaa tofauti tofauti kama vile uchoraji. Kuna vijana ambao wako na tajriba kubwa katika uchoraji. Sanaa kama hiyo haijapewa kipaumbele nchini Kenya. Katika nchi za nje, na haswa nchi za magharibi, wasanii wa uchoroji wamebobea sana. Kiwango cha asilimia 2 kilichopendekezwa kwenye Hoja hii inayojaribu kuwatafutia vijana pesa za kuwasaidia kukuza vipaji vyao vya ubunifu ni kidogo sana. Iwapo Hazina ya NG-CDF itatenga asilimia 2, inafaa vijana watengewe asilimia kubwa kutoka kwa hazina ya Hustler Fund ili waweze kujiajiri. Mhe. Spika wa Muda, katika Eneo Bunge langu la Wundanyi, kuna vikundi vya vijana wanaojiita Taita Upcoming Talent na Vigogo Media, ambao wamebobea sana. Niko na vijana wa mzuki pia, na mmoja wao anajiita Babas Millionaire . Hao ni wasanii ambao tukiwashika mikono kiukweli, watapiga hatua kimaisha. Wataweza kuwaajiri vijana wenzao na hali ya usanii nchini Kenya italeta ajira kubwa itakayotuwezesha kupiga hatua ya kimaisha. Usanii utakuwa na uwezo wa kuleta ajira kubwa ambayo itatuwezesha kupigana na janga la ukosefu wa kazi. Kwa hayo machache, ninaunga mkono Hoja hii nikiwaomba Wabunge wenzangu tuipitishe haraka ili iweze kuwa sheria.

Thank you so much, Hon. Mwashako. Before we proceed, I would like to recognise the presence of students in the Public Gallery. They are from Prime Junior Academy, Kajiado North Constituency; St. Catherine Ngaru Girls, Kirinyaga Central; Ulinzi High School; and Kibwezi West, Makueni County. You are all welcome to watch the proceedings of the National Assembly. The next chance goes to Hon. Beatrice Elachi, the Member for Dagoreti.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First of all, I want to thank my neighbour, Hon. John Kiarie, who has stood with me for many years, and still does so. Having brought in this Motion, I want to say that he has been a role model for many youths since the time he was in campus. He proved that, indeed, you can find a living through the many different Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that we have in this country. I appreciate him. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we just finished the campaigns, where we used many young people with different talents to drive our goals. Some of them were assigned to go round and announce our agendas while others were in social media teams. I know most of them today are asking for jobs. The Government has put in place some training institutions, like the Music Academy that we have. I hope we can send our young people there for training. More importantly, every sector you go to will always say that they do not have resources, which is true. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, our young people have gone to the roads trying to do gymnastics to earn a living. Imagine if they had resources to boost themselves and put up a place where they can go and entertain people? That would enable them to earn a living and, most importantly, to employ others. When you read this Motion, you get excited that, indeed, this House will resolve these issues; that, the Ministry will formulate a policy reinforcing the 2 per cent allocation that has been proposed. As Daktari said, we now need to use the Uwezo Fund differently. Money from this Fund should be allocated to young people who have talents and are able or are already trying to do something. Currently, young people are going around asking hon. Members to assist them in buying equipment. They are seeking support for innovation or setting up of a hub that will create employments for others. I believe that this resource can really support the youths. 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.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, even as we talk about building Kenya, we need to take our youths for training. We need to ask the Government to give incentives for young people in this country so that they bring in their equipment to complete the value chain and become marketable. Many people would think that the proposed 2 per cent allocation is a small amount but we want people in this country to get equipment so that they can be able to boost their different innovations. It is, therefore, important that this House resolves on what an hon. Member said – that, the 2 per cent should be from Uwezo Fund. Some of the people who took money from Uwezo Fund believed that it was a resource from the Government and, therefore, was never refundable. There are those who wished they could benefit from that Fund but they were unable to. Others were wondering if it was only for trade. Not all young people with innovations will go and trade in a market. Most of them would want to have an app to do something on their phones to digitise any innovation. They can come up with different applications that can do a number of things within our constituencies. Therefore, as I support this, I just want to thank Hon. John Kiarie for also giving food to the children of Dagoretti North. They now find lunch in their schools. We want to say thank you. I am hoping that even as we move forward, we can find many things that we can work together.

Hon. Sergon Jematiah, you have the microphone with you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. From the outset, I want to thank Hon. John Kiarie, my Chair in the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, for this important Motion before us today. This Motion has come at the right time because Kenya is today facing so many cases of unemployment. We overlook the importance of artisans in this country. First things first, the work of artisans and God given talents have been there for the longest time in our lives. When we were growing up, we used to see our mothers doing a lot of handwork. Some of us went to school when Art and Craft was being taught, and we were exposed to use our own skills and develop our talents. I must say that this country is in the best time because of the innovations and exposure to internet that we have today. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the issue of unemployment will also be solved when we give opportunities to the youth, women and talented people who can innovate and make money at their comfort zones or through computers. Applications such as You Tube and Spotify can help them generate income, and they do not necessarily need to rely on white collar jobs. We have many artisans in this country. We have the Maa Community who make very nice ushanga . They are custom made and you can never get them anywhere else. If you order a good bead work like a necklace, you can get it made in a very special way, in good quality and it is very durable. These are the things that we need to encourage our people to continue working on. We also have carvings and brick works. Music is one of the arts that has been controlling the world. Through music, talents have been developed and money has been made. This has been made possible by the fact that you can just sit down and generate income in your own way. I support this Motion. Hon. John Kiarie is proposing that supporting the artisans should be done through the NG-CDF, but I want to remind the House that we already have the NGAAF which has exposed artisans through the social money.

The NGAAF is not always for development such as roads and construction work. It is mainly socio-economic and it is well articulated in the NGAAF. As much as my colleague has brought it through the NG-CDF, I want to say on the Floor of the House that it will be important 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.

for us to channel it through the NGAAF money. It is actually taken out from the same. The NGAAF targets the youth, women and PWDs. In as much as my colleague has brought it through the NG-CDF, I believe it could be well taken care of by the NGAAF. Going forward, we will make an amendment proposing that this money should be kept in the NGAAF. We will handle it better because we are the people who are exposed to the cohorts in society. For instance, for the start-ups, we will be the best persons to implement because we normally sit and interact with women in the grassroots. I would be seeking the indulgence of my colleague that when we will be making the amendments, this money is taken back to the NGAAF instead of the NG-CDF. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Samwel Moroto.

Kapenguria, UDA): Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me a chance to support this Motion. I want to congratulate Hon. John Kiarie for coming up with this good idea. Just like other Members have mentioned, I saw him when he was young. Sometime back when we were having tea with the late President Moi and the late Hon. JJ Kamotho, we watched him with a friend as he imitated the late Moi and his friend imitated Kamotho. The two guys were really enjoying the comedy. I also enjoyed. I thought they were going to be mad, but they really enjoyed it. He has today brought a Motion and I know with the support of this House and the current Government, we will go far. When we talk about artists, I remember in my place there was a time when the neighbouring communities would not see each other; the Karamojong and the Sebei of Uganda, and the Pokots and the Turkana of Kenya. An athlete, Tecla Loroupe, came up with a peace caravan where she invited artists from all the communities to come together for entertainment. They used their own languages to teach their people how to behave, and that changed a lot. You no longer hear these communities fighting. A Member has mentioned Eric Omondi and Churchill. Both were students at Daystar University. There was a time when Omondi could not even raise half of the school fees for his education, but now, he is beyond some of us who had salaries and were paying for our school fees. I want to say that this young man, Hon. Kiarie, has brought a very good idea. I know other young people are following and are prepared to do something. I agree with the Member who said that we must walk the talk. Some of us have been here for a long time, and it is unfortunate that you can come up with a very good idea, but it will not see the light of the day. You will get papers from here gathering dust in a certain corner and nothing will benefit Kenyans. I think we need to be serious on this one here. We also have to get the right committee from this House to do a follow up. If we just say that we are going to do this and that, somebody will come and ask us to get money yet resources are being wasted elsewhere that would have otherwise done tangible things to touch the lives of Kenyans. I do not want to say much because my colleagues have already mentioned them. We have to support this Motion. I support.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The point at hand is the whole issue of giving resources to artisans. Hon. John Kiarie, I believe you might need to do a little bit more work when you are talking of artisans. Who are these artisans? There is a very big problem in terms of definition from the way many Members are talking about it when they are contributing. When the new Members are talking, some are referring to people who are in the music and entertainment industry, but when you look at this in the stricter sense, they are artisans who, career wise or professionally, have been through some training. We then have those who are artisans through on the job learning that is apprenticeship and subsequently we have those who are artisans based on non-academic skills development arrangements. The whole issue of definition here, Hon. John Kiarie, may be very critical so that when we are talking about giving 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.

resources, what kind of an artisan are we giving resources? Are we giving resources to the artisans in the music industry? Is that considered as an artisan or an artist? With this in consideration, I want to give an example of a professor of Mathematics in Maseno University who also ventures in music and to him, music is either a hobby or part of entertainment. He is a professional Mathematician who lectures at Maseno University. When you consider people who are in the music or entertainment industry as artisans, then this needs to be redefined. We need to check this properly. Hon. Temporary Speaker, what I am trying to look at is defining artisans in their global sense for purposes of resources. We need to consider this so that we provide resources for artisans who really require resources. We have those who are coming up as apprentices and those who are doing the trade test arrangement who are the artisans that are clearly known through their career development. They do these tests and as you remember, there is no professional that does not have an artisan under them.

On a point of information.

Hon. Kiarie wants to inform you. Do you want to be informed?

Yes, it is okay. Any good person must allow for information.

Hon. Kiarie, avoid debating. You will inform and allow him to proceed with the debate.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. It was not my intention to interrupt the good gentleman, Hon. Ochanda. I am glad for his magnanimity to accept to be informed, but in the life of the last Parliament, this House, in its own wisdom, went through the process of passing a Bill that went a long way in informing the artist’s register. If Hon. Ochanda can remember, in that artist register, we ably described who an artist, an artisan and an innovator are. I am glad that he brought this up because he is able to also inform the debate as it goes on. Thank you very much Hon. Temporary Speaker and I thank Hon. Ochanda for bringing that up.

That is the kind of information that all Members who are contributing to this should be aware of. They should be aware of these definitions. You will discover the kind of debate that we have on the Floor of the House since this started is indicative of the fact that Members are not clear on what kind of artisans we are talking about. The way this Motion is drafted needed to have indicated the definition of an artisan so that it can guide Members during the debate. Members are thinking that an artisan is a cartoonist or people who are in the music industry and if you look at the discussion, this is where the problem is. If you look at it in a strict sense of what we are talking about, there are people who are artisans through their individual career development. They do trade tests and have the opportunity to undertake the technical level and then they have to undertake the professional level. With that being said, if you look at it this way, then there are those who are already placed. Alternatively, there are those who have learnt through being apprentices. They are in the j ua kali, in markets such as Gikomba or in other informal places where they have learnt and developed skills under a professional or through people with technical know-how. These are the people that we need to consider when we are talking about resourcing. This would mean that we do not need to target an existing fund that has a purpose, but instead target funds that are isolated for this particular skill. This is what I intended to guide the House on as we move forward.

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. 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.

The next chance goes to Hon. Onchoke.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for that clarification in case anyone was thinking that you are favouring me. I rise to support this Motion for a number of reasons, but I am going to cite a few. If this country is going to grow as we all intend to have Kenya grow economically, industrialisation is one of the ways we can achieve this. We will get a bulk of industrialisation from the artisans, what they do and what they contribute to the economy. Secondly, a lot of our youth are in this sector displaying all manner of skills which are under artisans. We know that the population of youth is at about 70 per cent and about 68 per cent are unemployed. Therefore, if we want to tackle the problem of unemployment, we need to support our artisans as a way of mitigating that problem. Thirdly, we have great potential in the international market for Kenyan products which we hardly exploit. An example is under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), in the Unites States (US) market, we hardly exploit the opportunities there. We hardly exploit 10 per cent and, therefore, by supporting our artisans to develop and produce goods and services, we will probably tap that market and take advantage of what has been provided by the US market. We need to be cognizant of the food chain of artisans by being aware of where the ideas are generated and how we can safeguard them so that they are not appropriated by unscrupulous business people and investors, particularly foreign investors. We can do this by protecting the intellectual property rights of the artisans who create these ideas. We also need to nature these ideas so that they are properly developed through institutions by providing adequate financing. An example of how we can achieve this is through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. In my constituency, we do not have TVET institutions and I hope by next year, we will have one, so that we can train our artisans and apprentices to enable them contribute to the economy. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am not very confident that the 2 per cent we are asking for is going to be adequate to support artisans. We need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a figure that will be adequate in supporting artisans since they play a critical role in eradicating unemployment and to the economy. All the economies that are developed and have been industrialised have had to use their innovators and their people who have creative ideas to get to where they are. With this being said, Kenya should not be left behind because of neglecting its artisans. If anything, we should be investing in them so that we can develop and help Kenya become the middle income economy as we all desire. We need to also develop many Silicon Valleys in our regions and constituencies. The way to do this is by having adequate financing, resources and encouraging the people by giving them all they need to make a contribution to the economy. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to support.

( Inaudible )

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I would like to congratulate Hon. John Kiarie, Member for Dagoretti South, for this Motion. In my understanding, the Motion covers artists, artisans and innovators. To this end, I think we will bring in a huge group of our population that have been out there unable to expand their ideas and to nurture the talents they possess. Hon. KJ, you may need to expand more on the percentage that we are asking on this. Probably 5 per cent of the NG-CDF allocation would cater for this. In my mind, I have many groups like the youth and musicians in my constituency, Bureti. There are those who sing in 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.

various choirs and those that do different kinds of music including the traditional dancers being organised into groups that may present themselves to the market and earn from their talents. During the campaigns, I noticed so many youths peddling portraits, paintings and drawings of politicians. This will come handy to help such youths to do paintings, drawings and the many things out of their art, and earn a living as members of the society. This will also provide us with opportunities to bring together such kind of groups and members of society. If, for example, we create recording studios within our constituencies for the musicians, how much will that go into solving the problems that we have within the youth community in our constituencies? However, we are aware that the Kenya Kwanza Government is also planning on the bottom-up approach in the Hustler Fund. I would implore upon Hon. KJ to start looking upon ways and means of including this Motion as part of a clause to anchor within the law so that we have our musicians, artists, artisans and innovators participate within the bottom-up approach. This includes even the social media influencers. I am aware that a lot of the social media sites that we have help the youth to earn a living out of the work they do whether it is TikTok or in whatever form they are involving themselves in. If you help these people even by training them or presenting them with opportunities, the environment and other groups of communities that are engaged in such kind of work, for us, the only thing that we are seeking is that people should earn a living from their talents. Kenyans should obtain revenues out of the work they do however it comes through. If by supporting this Motion we are bringing this on board, I would be glad that this be funded through the NG-CDF, so that our people may participate. I support the Motion.

Hon. Robert Mbui, proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, and my brother, Hon. KJ, for this particular Motion. This is a very important amid unemployment in generating employment for the youth. If you look at my constituency, we have youth who are making hydram pumps as well as wood carvings. If you look at countries like China and Korea. they have developed through innovation. This is a very important Motion and I fully support it. Ideally, this Motion should be entrenched in the NG-CDF because in principle, we should be earning foreign exchange through the sale of local crafts. Some of the proposals to make in this Motion include zero rating products made by local artisans so that, at least, we promote them and generate market for them. Importantly, we need to commit our embassies abroad basically to market products made by local artisans. We also need to commit funds because most local artisans lack money to enhance their skills. Like my brother mentioned this morning, we also need to specify who the local artisans are. I do not think this Motion cuts across in terms of talking about musicians and others. We are talking of artisans who are using skills to produce hand-made products. I fully support the Motion and I am happy that my brother, Hon. KJ, brought it to the House.

Member for Isiolo North.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to add my voice to this Motion by Hon. KJ. It has come immediately after elections. We have used artisanry during elections and they helped a lot. We have used artisans properly through their music and all aspects of their capacities. This has come at the right time because before getting into the other national issues and before we forget what these experiences artisans took us through during elections, it is so enormous that we were using them without knowing that they have to earn a living. We used them in their capacities, knowledge, abilities and this is the time we will put this into law because it is a well-researched Motion coming from a person 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.

who has had experience and has gone through challenges for the period he served Kenya acting with other artists. This has come from a person who has had experience, potential and has seen that recognising artists and artisans is going to be appreciated by all communities in Kenya. The artisans have many ideas, intelligence and have developed a lot because other people have made a living from them. We want them to make a living directly from the people they serve every day. This is creation of employment because it gives them recognition all over the world. We want to address local talents that have been misused for a very long time by politicians. We have made use of their resourcefulness, but this is the time that we have to make them understand that we appreciate the much that they did for us during the campaigns. Going forward, we want to give them value for whatever they are doing.

(Hon. (Dr) Rachel Nyamai) Hon. Member for Makueni, Hon. Rose Museo.

Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa nafasi hii uliyonipatia nichangie Hoja hii ambayo ni muhimu sana kwa Wakenya. Ninamshukuru Mhe. Kiarie kwa kuileta Hoja hii ambayo itasaidia sana. Tumeona wasanii wengi katika nafasi za uimbaji, uigizaji na wale ambao wako na talanta za kutengeneza vitu, lakini Serikali haijachukua hatua kubwa ya kuangalia ni vipi ingeboresha usanii huu. Tangu tukiwa wadogo, tulimwona Mzee Ojwang’, ambaye amelala, Mama Kayai, na wengineo katika kipindi cha Vioja Mahakamani wakitufurahisha kwenye televisheni. Lakini ukifuatilia maisha yao ya baadaye, hayapendezi. Ilichukua nchi za ng’ambo kujua tuko na msanii mzuri kwa jina la Lupita Nyong’o na akasifiwa dunia nzima. Hii ni kusema kwamba Kenya tuko na wasanii na talanta mbali mbali. Serikali ingechukua nafasi kuwasaidia hawa wasanii ili waweze kubobea. Tukiwa nyumbani, tunaangalia filamu za Nigeria kwa sababu Serikali yao iliwapatia nafasi. Katika sekta ya muziki, Tanzania na Congo wamebobea. Kenya iko na wasanii wanaoweza kuimba. Wengine ni wa mchezo wa kuigiza. Lakini kwa sababu Serikali haijachukua nafasi ya kuwasaidia kuboresha kile ambacho wanajua, unakuta ya kwamba wanafifia halafu wanaondoka jukwaa. Wamebaki tu kutangazwa katika televisheni na magazeti na inaishia hapo. Kwa hivyo, namshukuru sana Mhe. Kiarie kwa Hoja hii ili tuhimize Serikali itenge pesa za kuwasaidia wasanii. Ukitaka kuelewa kwamba Kenya kuna wasanii wa kipekee, ukienda pale Gikomba utapata kuna mambo wanafanya kwa ustadi sana lakini yanabaki pale pale. Hawana namna ya kuyaboresha yaweze kuwa na manufaa zaidi na kufikia nchi za nje. Ninakumbuka wamama waliokuwa wanashona viondo zile za zamani. Kwa sababu hakukua na pesa za kuboresha kazi hiyo, usanii huo ulichukuliwa na watu wa Japan na sasa watu wananua viondo kutoka nchi hiyo. Kuna wale ambao wamesomea talanta hizi na kuna wale ambao wamezaliwa na talanta za kipekee. Serikali ingechukua hatua kuona jinsi inavyoweza kuwasaidia kuboresha talanta zao. Shule pia zinafaa kuchukua hatua makusudi ya kutambua mwanafunzi ambaye ako na talanta ya kipekee ambayo inaweza kukuzwa na iwe na manufaa kwa Kenya. Ninaamini kuwa Hoja hii itatekelezwa na pesa kutengwa ili wasanii watambulike. Pia, itasaidia kwa nafasi za kazi kwa maana sio wote wataenda kwenye maofisi. Wengine watajiandika wenyewe kwa sababu ya talanta mbalimbali ambazo Mwenyezi Mungu amewapatia. 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.

Ninawashukuru watu wa Makueni kwa kunipatia nafasi ya kuwafanyia kazi kwa awamu ya tatu. Ninawashukuru kwa maana hawaangalii maumbile, bali wanaangalia kazi tunayoichapa. Asante pia kwa Mhe. John Kiarie. Ninashukuru.

The Member for Mathioya, Hon. Gichuki Mugo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. First of all, I congratulate my brother, Hon. KJ, for this Motion. It is timely. It is about artists, artisans and innovators. Kenyans in this group are predominantly young. Young people in this country constitute 75 per cent of the population. If you calculate 75 per cent of the 52 million Kenyans, we are talking about 39 million Kenyans. So, this Motion directly affects 39 million Kenyans. We have to debate and refine it because it affects a majority of Kenyans. Gone are the days when our parents could dictate to their children to become doctors, pilots, accountants and so forth. These days, our children want to become artists or artisans, so we have to redefine this industry and ensure that it operates efficiently. As one Member has said, the music industry in Nigeria and Tanzania is huge business. You cannot compare it to Kenya yet we were the pioneers of some of this music. We have to support and refine this Motion so that a majority of our population can benefit from it. In the villages, Kenyans working on the NG-CDF projects are plumbers, painters, welders and carpenters. These are the people that we need to support, and we can support them through TVETs. If this Motion is anchored in the NG-CDF, it will support the young people. As one Member has said, formal employment opportunities are minimal or limited. Artists, artisans and innovators form part of informal employment. This industry can absorb many Kenyans. It is the way to go. If we support them, they will start earning something and we can expand our tax base. More Kenyans will earn a living and pay taxes. With those few remarks, Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the Motion by Hon. KJ.

The time allocated for this Motion has ended. I call upon the Mover to reply.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Because of the high interest in this Motion, before I reply, I would like to donate some minutes to Members who have indicated much interest, namely, Hon. Anthony Oluoch, Hon. Andrew Okuome, Hon. Beatrice Adagala, Hon. Amos Mwago, Hon. Jackson Kosgei, Hon. Mary Maingi, Hon. Joseph Oyula, Hon. Wilberforce Oundo, Hon. Kirwa, Hon. Cherorot, Hon. Stephen Mogaka, and Hon. Gikaria. Each Member to take a minute before I reply.

Thank you very much.

(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): You will take one minute each in that order.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In the same breath, allow me to congratulate my brother, Hon. Kiarie, for coming up with this Motion. It is informed by the joblessness that has percolated this nation. I will take a different tangent with regard to funding of this artisans’ project. Because this featured quite prominently during the Kenya Kwanza campaigns, I would suggest that this money should come from the Exchequer so that we do not overburden the already overstretched National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). Let the Kenya Kwanza Government come up with another fund, give it a name that is feasible to them and let us move this country to the next level. However, this money should not come from the NG-CDF or the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). It should come from a different set of money. I thank you. 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.

(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Member for Mosop Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me also thank Hon. KJ for bringing this Motion. I support it. I believe that this is the right time to consider our young people, the artisans and also the artists because they contribute a lot. Looking at the unemployment rate in this country, it is a huge group of people that has been neglected and yet, they contribute a lot to the economy. I support that we either entrench the NG-CDF in the Constitution, or as Hon. Okello has said, we can consider coming up with an independent Exchequer funding. Whatever is it, we should consider and fund them so that we can reduce the rate of unemployment. That will make a difference in this country. Therefore, I support this Motion. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Anthony Oluoch.

Let me first take this opportunity to thank Hon. KJ. He has done himself proud and the many elite artists of his generation who have seen it fit to uplift the lives, livelihoods and talents of young people. I have known you since the days of the Kenyatta University Cultural Week that gave you a platform. The only thing I want to add to is that, as we consider this, let us look at how we can expand the percentage allocated to NG-CDF. We need to uplift the young artists in Mathare and the entire country. I support this Motion and congratulate Hon. KJ.

(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): The Member for Kirinyaga Central, Hon. Gitari.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to congratulate my brother KJ for bringing this timely Motion. At the outset, Hon. KJ is a good example of the tent maker who was called by Jesus, but did not forget the other tent makers. We know that Hon. KJ was in that industry. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we want to see Kenya at the level of Nigeria where their movies are watched all over the world. I am with Hon. KJ all the way to the end. I hope that this proposal will develop into a Bill which we can effect properly after we entrench the NG- CDF in the Constitution. Thank you.

(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): The Member for Mwea, Hon. Mary Maingi.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I would like to start by thanking my brother Hon. KJ for bringing this Motion to the House. By supporting this Motion, we shall be unlocking a whole creative economy. In Nigeria, the creative economy is the second largest employer. When we were campaigning, we witnessed the high rate of unemployment in Kenya. Most of the people affected by this unemployment are our youths. If we allocate the 2 per cent the Member is talking about, I am not even sure if it will be enough. But it will help in unlocking the full potential of creative industry.

The Member for Mombasa County, Hon. Zamzam Chimba.

Samahani sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Nimeingia hapa saa nne kamili lakini jina langu halijatajwa. Mhe. Zamzam wa Mombasa ameingia dakika tano zilizopita. Sijui kama kuna mtafaruku fulani katika chombo chako au kweli unamaanisha kuwa Mheshimiwa wa Mombasa ndiye anapaswa kuzungumza wakati huu? Niendelee?

I have two people on the list. The first opportunity is to the Hon. Member for Mombasa County and the second and last opportunity is to the Member for Kwale County. So, I would like you to follow that order. 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.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Mjadala ulioletwa na ndugu yangu, Mhe. Kiarie, unahusu wanasanaa wengi ambao wamehangaika sana. Katika majumba yetu sisi, tunapenda sana kusifu na kutukuza wanasanaa kutoka mataifa ya nje ilhali wanasanaa wetu wanazorota kwa umasikini licha ya kuwa na muziki na uigizaji mzuri na mtamu sana. Mimi Mama Zamzam Chimba Mohamend, na Mama Kaunti, nina vijana wangu wa Mombasa wanaoigiza, imba na kufanya sanaa tofauti tofauti. Ningependa kumpongeza ndugu yangu kipenzi, Mhe. Kiarie, kwa kuleta Hoja hii. Najua kuna wakati ulikuwa mwanasanaa. Naunga mkono ili wanasanaa wapewe pesa ili waweze kuinuliwa kisanaa na kujiendeleza. Pole sana Mhe. wa Kwale. Zamu ikiwa yangu, ni yangu tu. Au vipi? Ahsante sana Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Naunga mkono Hoja hii.

Next is the Member for Kwale County, Hon. Fatuma Masito.

Ahsante sana Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa nafasi hii ya kipekee nami niweze kuchangia mjadala huu ili nipatikane katika kumbukumbu za Bunge la Taifa hili. Naunga mkono Hoja hii iliyoletwa na Mbunge wa Dagoretti Kusini, Mhe. Kiarie. Vijana wameachwa nyuma na hali tunawatumia sana wakati wa kampeini. Pia, tusisahau akina mama. Pale Pwani, akina mama ni wapishi wazuri sana. Hiyo naitambua kama sanaa. Wanawake hawa wa Pwani wakikupikia, utadhania ni wapishi walio na degree au diploma. Ni kwa sababu ya ufanisi katika uwanja huo wa mapishi. Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kama kuna msaada au pesa zinazotolewa, basi wanawake hawa Kenya nzima…

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I think there was some kind of omission there. I congratulate Hon. KJ for bringing this Motion. This is actually in line with what he has been doing. I also congratulate the people of Dagoretti South for re-electing him. This is a good show, especially to the artists. The artistes that we have in this country play a key role. I remember during our campaigns, most of them actually participated. They do a good job. They should be funded. This can be entrenched in the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), or even the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), so that they can benefit from that.

Lastly, every county can create a theatre where the artistes….

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Member for West Mugirango, Hon. Mogaka.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I thank Hon. John Kiarie for coming up with this earth-moving Motion. I associate with all those who have contributed to support it. On behalf of the people of West Mugirango, I want to add my voice. The aspiration of every country is economic development. This cannot happen, unless the bulk of the youth who have energy, talents, and skills are aligned to national resources. This Motion aligns national resources to talents. I can see Kenya unlocking a potential for accelerated economic development. I support the Motion.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Member for Karachuonyo, Hon. Andrew Okuome.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute. I also thank my friend for donating to me an opportunity to just say one or two things. I support this Motion heartily because I realise that our youths are the potential giants lying there with their talents. If we use them properly, this country will automatically change positively for our economic well-being.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. 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.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Jackson Kosgei.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support Hon. John Kiarie for bringing this Motion. May I begin by quoting Patrick Rothfuss. He said: “There is something deeply satisfying in shaping something with your hands. Proper artificing is like a song made solid. It is an act of creation”.

I support this Motion because artisanship creates jobs. It tells of a story as a people and as individuals. It enhances creativity and innovation. I support this Motion because it will create more opportunities to preserve our history. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. John Kiarie, now you can finalise your reply to the Motion.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I appreciate your magnanimity in accepting to give the opportunities to Members. I understand there is only time left for me to reply. I beg to do so. While I was seated here, I was taking notes on the Bills that Members of Parliament have built from this Motion. I take very seriously the contributions of each and every single Member on this Motion. I will highlight some of the notes that I have written down. Members appreciate that their hands are tied when it comes to supporting innovation. The way the NG- CDF, Uwezo Fund and NGAAF are designed today, the hands of Members of Parliament are tied with regard to supporting innovation.

I also noted that we can go beyond giving lip service by funding talent in this country. A question has arisen severally here as to whether the 2 per cent that we are proposing here is sufficient. Given the opportunity, I agree that we can push the bar higher than 2 per cent. An interesting point was brought up on supporting innovation. Artistes and artisans can introduce cultural diplomacy that can go a long way in flying our cultural flag higher internationally. Hon. Nyikal raised an important point on righting the wrongs in our syllabus, curriculum and the education system at large. There is an idea of turning art into collateral that young people can use to get cash when they require financing from banks. There is a big drive towards monetising the platforms that are available, including the online ones. I take that as a great contribution. There is the issue of patenting and intellectual property rights. Hon. Oluoch will bear me witness that we have gone a long journey on working on the copyright in this country. It is so that we can bring up the issue of ownership of patents by local producers. What are the next steps? I believe that when we, as a House, resolve this Motion, we will take a great step. I see the need for even bringing up a substantive Bill that can become an Act of Parliament. I also see the need of embedding this Motion in the legislative proposal that we are enriching on NG- CDF. I also see us domiciling these proposals also in the Acts that administrate and superintend the NGAAF and Uwezo Fund. There is also need to find out how we shall resolve the issue of administration of the funds. Finally, very interesting soft issues arose. I will mention two of them because I cannot mention all of them. One was the issue of art for peace. In areas where there is perpetual conflict in our communities, art can promote peace. The other issue that was brought up as a soft issue is the understanding that God is the ultimate creator. When we promote artistes, artisans and innovators, we promote co-creation with God. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity. I thank all the Members who have taken time to contribute to this Motion. I commit to take it further and to see that it is implemented for the good of the entire creative and digital economy in this country. 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.

I beg to reply. Thank you very much.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Very well, Hon. John Kiarie. Hon. Members, Question on this Motion will be put in the next sitting.

Next Order.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Beatrice Elachi.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, aware that Kenya’s economy is largely driven by the informal sector spearheaded by entrepreneurs presenting themselves in form of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs); concerned that the informal sector popularly known as the Jua Kali has different segments and categories spread out in value chains ranging from agriculture, trade, manufacturing, apparels, IT, transport, the creative economy and education, among others; recognising that there is need to improve coordination of SMEs through development of an all-inclusive well- structured delivery platform that encompasses multiple solutions and all key stakeholders; noting that this sector has a potential to create employment opportunities to over 80 per cent of Kenya’s working population; further noting that these SMEs have the capacity to leapfrog our nation to a middle-income economy as witnessed in other economies around the world; recalling that strong and consistent commitment and political goodwill can deliver the needed growth for the realisation of steady and sustainable economic growth; concerned that previous support by the Government to this sector has merely been a knee-jerk reaction in form of skewed funding and tokenism; cognisant that there exist no unified national policy or legislation in support of the sector and SMEs across the entire value chain; now therefore, this House resolves that the national Government develops a unified national policy on small and micro-enterprises (SMEs) detailing recognition, funding, mentoring, expansion, restructuring and marketing of the SMEs products. Hon. Temporary Speaker, since 1989, we have been talking about SMEs. We have seen the growth of SMEs. We are talking about approximately 7.4 million SMEs that hold the key to job creation and productivity. The commitment of any government is to ensure growth by formulating key strategies. However, the dichotomous policy perception of SMEs has contributed to the ineffectiveness of those policies. There is need to support the different recommendations that we have had, as proposed by different organisations that support SMEs. It is important to have a coherent, effective and efficient national policy that will foster contribution to sustainable development and growth.

As we speak today, we are in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis that hit this country. Then the Government at one point decided that SMEs across the country should go through what they had never gone through. It reached a point we had to decide whether an institution or an SME had brought in substandard goods. Therefore, the Department of Customs would hold the goods and everyone would try to look for his or her goods. In the 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.

end, we decided it has to be banned. It was very devastating for many SMEs in this country. This happened simply because we do not have a national policy that is coherent about different economic sectors. For example, one that can bring harmony and ensure there is a conducive environment for SMEs to operate. We know very well that each business is a chain. I will give an example. Gikomba Market takes care of millions of Kenyans. We have a business chain that starts with the person who brings or imports the mitumba . This person will come to the market and another one will come to open the bales. Then we will have young people who will sort out the items in the bales. We will then have those who will buy and say: “This is camera!” We also have those who will iron the clothes. You see, we have created jobs for different cadres! There is a person who just irons; one who buys what they call 'camera'; and one who picks what is remaining. There is a commission you give for everyone you see within the streets selling one or two things. Therefore, when you close that business suddenly, you leave millions wondering where they will get their bread from.

When you speak of a Government that wants to see.... I know we have a Cabinet Secretary who is fully aware of issues affecting SMEs. We also have a CS that we really look up to - the one for Trade and Co-operatives. Those two CSs are going to ensure that we facilitate a supporting system that adapts a digital way of doing things. Things will be done well. We will even open up markets of digital technology that small traders and small SMEs can use. We have everyone in the streets of Nairobi. If structured well, you will find people continuing with their businesses round the clock. Those who have big shops and the SMEs in the streets will all sell. At the same time, we have a chain that appreciates everyone must use that space.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, if we have functional markets, digital goods and services can do very well in this country. As I bring this Motion, I remember in the 12th Parliament we really talked about how SMEs were being mistreated. I thank the President because those SMEs will be able to go back and start trading. They will be able to bring in a container through sharing of costs. They will clear their goods from Mombasa faster. It had reached a point where goods were picked from Mombasa and delivered in Naivasha. One would leave Naivasha to come pay in Nairobi for them to arrive. Honestly? We are a very interesting country where you find someone making millions and billions of shillings at the Port of Mombasa. We have other small ones at Mombasa who have decided to exploit people. A container or a wagon comes in, say, at USD560. Then, this wagon carrying four containers is taken to somebody’s yard where I am supposed to receive it and then expected to pay USD400 per day. If this Government is not going to change all that, we will be doing big injustice to our SMEs. Right now, they are looking for resources. I am hoping the Hustler Fund, the Economic Stimulus Fund and any other fund will benefit traders. They need the money to revive businesses.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, a good Government must enhance participation in international and global trade by providing a conducive environment and a regulatory framework that enables everyone. Even if it is a seller of plastic containers, they should do so within certain standards. I should be able to trade in tomatoes, avocadoes, or any kind of fruits that are doing very well, say, in Makueni. If there is anything we can do to revive our economy, then it is building the SMEs we have. If there is anything to help us pay our debts, then it is creating a conducive environment for SMEs so that they flourish. If there is anything to do, it is to sit down and listen to the stories and testimonies of how we started small trading firms during Kibaki’s time. Many of the traders you have seen go down started their trading business during Kibaki’s time. Then they faced an administration that felt so angered. I am sorry to say this because I was part of the then Jubilee administration. There is nothing as painful as getting into business jealously, where big shots feel threatened by the small SMEs that are coming up. There is nothing as sad as that. It is why we went into trade conflicts and completely killed what Kibaki had revived in this country. 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.

It was very sad to see our businessman, Humphrey, being treated the way he was treated. It was just because of competition in business! We killed each other using our own Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). I hope as I talk of a national policy and a conducive environment, I am speaking to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). They must create a conducive environment to also receive revenue and, indeed, give every person in Kenya an opportunity. We spend Ksh5 billion a day as a country, but we end up with a deficit of Ksh3 billion. So, in a day, Kenya spends Ksh8 billion. This means we can revive businesses and collect beyond Ksh9 billion. This will ensure every person is able to earn a living and not just in Nairobi, but everywhere in this country.

If we enable SMEs by reducing barriers of entry and exit, we will support competition, provide incentives and innovation; thus moving this country to the next level. In conclusion, it is important to facilitate access to resources where they are needed and create a conducive working environment for the self-employed. Looking at our markets and where the small traders are, it is important to have a conducive environment. Hon. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I invite Hon. Amos Mwago, Member for Starehe Constituency where all SMEs do business, to second this Motion.

Thank you very much Member for Dagoretti North. Hon. Members, before seconding of this Motion by Hon. Mwago, I will allow Hon. Nelson Koech to table a Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay following paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on its consideration of the request by the National Executive regarding the Deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to the East Africa Community Regional Force - Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hon. Nelson Koech, now you may give the notice of Motion for the Report you just tabled.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, in its Report on the request by National Executive regarding the Deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to the East Africa Community Regional Force - Democratic Republic of Congo, laid on the Table of the House today Wednesday, 9th November 2022 and, pursuant to the provisions of Article 240(8)(a) of the Constitution and Sections 18(c) and 32(2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, 2012; this House approves the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces to the East Africa Community Regional Force - Democratic Republic of Congo for peace keeping operations. 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.

Hon. Members, we may now go back to the Motion as moved by the Member for Dagoretti. Hon. Mwago, you may now second.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity to congratulate my able mentor, Hon. Beatrice Elachi for bringing this Motion on the Floor. It seeks the development of a unified national policy on SMEs. I come from a constituency that heavily relies on trade as its fundamental economic activity. Most of my constituents are traders who fall under this category of SMEs. I stand here to second this Motion because it directly affects my constituents. Most of the market places in Starehe are dominated by traders in this category.

During the campaign period, both sides of the divide campaigned on a platform of economic revolution. The Kenya Kwanza Government advocated for the bottom-up approach and us in the Azimio side advocated for the 3rd economic liberation of our nation. I am very pleased we have two Motions today that centre on empowerment of our people in matters trade. This is a step in the right direction but is long overdue. We need to recognise the role played by SMEs in the economy of this country. It is wise to provide a conducive environment and empower traders. This is because they are a power houses when it comes to employment opportunities of our people.

I rose from being a trader in the downtown side of Nyamakima, Kamukunji area. There are very serious SMEs in that area that have been set up by people from the villages. They have blossomed and grown to be medium enterprises. Others reached the industrialisation phase through the support they got from the Kibaki Government. It is so demoralising because we are killing that spirit. The Kibaki administration opened up the economy of Kenya by giving SMEs a chance and opening markets in other countries for people to sell their goods. For example, there was trading with China, Dubai, Turkey and other countries. It has taken our people some amount of money to invest in this trade that has revolutionised business ideas around Nairobi. The trading chains in Nairobi have benefited so much from the trading policies that were put up during Kibaki’s administration.

My sister seeks to develop a unified national policy on SMEs and I support it from the bottom of my heart. If we want to boost the economy of this country, we should start with empowering SMEs. Through innovation and creation, they have become a powerhouse in offering jobs and being employers in this country.

If you look at the developed countries of the world, they heavily rely on the private sector to empower their economy. If you look at countries like India, they started with cottage industries, moved to handcraft industries and reached the industrial revolution level through empowering small traders and SMEs in their countries. This is long overdue. So, we seek to empower SMEs through proper recognition. We want to reduce the harassment that is meted on them. You can imagine at their infant stages, there are many agencies directed to oversee their activities. But they fail to do this the correct way and harass them. For example, a trader is told his goods are contraband and others counterfeit, but they fail to give civic education so that people can understand what is contraband or counterfeit.

I think this is a step in the right direction. I want to congratulate my sister and I stand to second this Motion. Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. 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.

Thank you, very much. Hon. Members, I will now propose the Question.

Hon. Members, debate on this Motion will resume in the next Sitting.

(Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Members, the time being 1.00 p.m., this House stands adjourned until today, 9th November 2022, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 1.00 p.m.

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.

Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi 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.