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"id": 1016693,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1016693/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
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"speaker": {
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"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is an issue that is extremely important because as we focus on the COVID millionaires at Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA), we must also be reminded that our various localities; different counties where we come from, there are also small COVID-19 millionaires who instead of ensuring that our counties are properly kitted to fight this pandemic, maybe their business is to enrich themselves from the donations that have been given to the various counties. It is extremely shameful. I am moving on to my second point of the response that I want to get from this Committee when they eventually table their continuous progress report. These thorny issues of the donations by philanthropist Jack Maa, up to this particular point, I have not seen a report of any House of Parliament. I also follow the business that goes on at the Lower House. I saw interrogations. I saw our former colleague, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Transport, Hon. Chris Obure, giving answers on a Tuesday saying that those donations were received by the garment handling equipment at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The following day, he gave information that appeared to be contradictory. This Committee must inform us. Kenyans deserve to know how much in terms of PPEs did we receive from Jack Maa. Is it true, as it is being alleged out there in the media that these donations were stolen and some were even sold to neighbouring countries, as it was exposed by the recent exposé by Journalist Dennis Okari? Mr. Speaker, Sir, it will be important for Kenyans to know the kind of Government that is in place. If, indeed, there are people who sold these donations, then their names need to be made public. They need to be brought to book. They need to go to jail. On the third issue, I would wish that this Committee will also be more reactive to the current debate around the COVID-19 issue. The current debate in the country is based on two things: First, it is the issue of reopening of schools. Secondly, relaxation of COVID-19 measures. Your report will be more updated if you told this House what assurance is the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Education, Hon. (Prof.) George Magoha, giving the country as he plans to reopen our schools? Are we saying that we are satisfied that all measures have been put in place such that, even if it is Class Eight only and Form Four candidates that are returning to school, how sure are we that our kids will be safe? I do not see the hurry. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am not convinced whatsoever, that there is need to hurry the reopening of schools. We need to learn from the rest of the globe. I have seen countries that have got better facilities, and better prepared in terms of how they have handled this pandemic. They made the rushed decision to reopen schools and right now, they are reconsidering receding that decision. Yesterday, in the House of Commons, the Prime Minster, Boris Johnson, said that they now want to come up with more stringent measures that will be put in place for six months. Given the kind of challenges that they are facing with this pandemic, they are even considering deploying out military to enforce some of these regulations because people are not listening. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}