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{
    "id": 1051238,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1051238/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 120,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kihika",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13216,
        "legal_name": "Susan Wakarura Kihika",
        "slug": "susan-wakarura-kihika"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 47(1) to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern on the implications of gender and corruption on resource allocation with a focus on the budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022. Corruption remains a perverse global challenge and continues to erode public trust, democratic institutions and undermines sustainable inclusive development and peace. It also aggravates poverty. Corruption is manifested in several ways, including the abuse of office for private gains, bribery, extortion, fraud and embezzlement, among other forms of gross misconduct of persons that have been entrusted with public offices. Corruption has greatly impacted on the Kenyan economy. Economically, corruption raises the cost of doing business, leads to misappropriation and wastage of resources, discourages foreign investment and retards economic growth and development. Socially, corruption accounts for poor service delivery and inefficient functioning of social services such as health, education, roads, water supply and tensions in society. It also continues to exacerbate social inequalities, development of crime, including transnational organized crime, the smuggling of weapons, wildlife trafficking, illegal trade in timber and forest products, drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking and money laundering. Mr. Speaker, Sir, a gender dimension must be mainstreamed in any effort to curb corruption. Whereas women and men are disproportionately affected by corruption and their corruptibility varies, this does not mean that one sex is intrinsically more corrupt than the other. This is influenced by social context. In particular women have been systematically disadvantaged as structural inequalities and the low status of women affect their rights. Social norms such as gender-based violence, harmful cultural attitudes and beliefs around gender roles, norms and female empowerment gravely place women in susceptible positions of being corrupt and corruptible. These social norms result to low economic empowerment of women thus further exposing them to corruption and its consequences as the only currency they have access to sometimes could services in sex. Corruption deprives the public from accessing public services such as public health, education and water. It also widens gender disparity in decision-making levels. Gender inequality allows corruption networks to grow, hinder progress towards gender equality and presents a barrier for women to gain full access to their civic social and economic rights. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to take this opportunity to caution on the potential impact of corruption during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Kenya has allocated many resources towards programmes to manage the pandemic. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}