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{
    "id": 1048802,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1048802/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I truly believe that I am dressed in a decent manner. Whoever has a problem should go to our culture and try to understand it and walk my path. I hope to continue. I think I was at the point where I was raising a very important matter regarding the recruitment exercise. The recruitment drive, which is a countrywide exercise, has attracted thousands of youths who are keen to join the military. These are unemployed youths. However, with it, there are claims of corruption in the recruitment exercise on a daily basis. There are allegations that recruitment officers are demanding hefty kickbacks of up to the tune of Kshs700,000 to enlist recruits into the military. These allegations are not new; it has become a ritual. Whenever there is a recruitment drive into the disciplined forces, people allege that they have to part with a minimum of Kshs300,000. The only thing is that, that amount of bribe has been going up on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is not only criminal, but a threat to our national security for an institution given the constitutional responsibility to defend and protect the sovereignty and territory integrity of this Republic. These acts of soliciting bribes by recruitment officers or team is not only contrary to their mission and goals--- If you go to their social media sites, you will see that they have portrayed themselves as the premier, credible and mission capable force deeply rooted in professionalism. It goes against the public ethics Act, Article 10 of the Constitution, national values and principles of governance, which calls for among other things, high standards of professional ethics. In addition, the desire by the young men and women to join the military is a manifestation of their patriotism. In other jurisdictions such as the United States and Canada, the National Guards and the military offer incentives to young citizens to join the military to defend their country. I remember this was the case during the early ages of our Republic. It is sad and unacceptable that patriotism has now been shoved to the back because of corruption. The recruitment process has now been commercialised and the higher bidder ends up being recruited. The youths, in their thousands, queue for hours hoping to be recruited, but the outcome leaves a lot to be desired. It seems that it is already predetermined. Most of them end up dejected and disillusioned when none of them are recruited. 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."
}