1 May 2008
Nairobi — Parliament passed a Motion seeking to introduce a Bill that would tighten controls on consumer exploitation.
Members unanimously endorsed the Motion to pave way for the introduction of the proposed Consumer Protection Bill, arguing that consumers had suffered for too long at the hands of unscrupulous traders.
They put the House Business Committee (HBC) on the spot, warning it on going against the spirit of speeding up the Bill.
Nominated MP Mrs Rachael Shebesh, taking cue from Mr Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem, ODM) who moved the Motion, warned the powerful committee against pushing the Bill to the periphery.
"We will hold the HBC to account if the Bill is not brought to the House. It would be immoral if the Bill is blocked because of vested interests in multinational companies," said Shebesh.
She said the proposed law was in the interest of the poor and a few affluent individuals should not be allowed to interfere with it.
Midiwo said the Bill did not see the light of the day in the last Parliament after the HBC failed to prioritise it.
He said he would move expeditiously to republish the Bill and hoped there would be no hurdles this time.
HBC, which defines the agenda of the House, is largely composed of Cabinet ministers, and members have often complained it does not prioritise private members' Bills.
The proposed Bill would establish a Consumer Protection Law that would help improve consumer welfare.
Members said lack of watertight legislation had made Kenya a dumping ground for inferior goods from foreign countries.
This, they noted, was killing the jua kali sector and endangering Kenyans' lives.
Public Health minister, Mrs Beth Mugo, and Midiwo expressed concerns on the infiltration of pornographic materials.
Mr Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa, PNU) and Midiwo blamed the media for playing a role in passing of such materials.
Industrialisation Assistant minister, Mr Ndiritu Murithi, said it was time quality of consumer products were ensured.
MPs who supported the Motion included Mr Edwin Yinda (Alego-Usonga, ODM), Mr Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga, ODM) and Mr Johnson Muthama (Kangundo, ODM-K).
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