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{
    "id": 1064902,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1064902/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 262,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "make us progress realise when it is too late that that is not the case. You need a leader who has a manifesto, principles and vision. You need a leader who can help bake the “cake” and promote economic progress. You do not need a leader who leads us to economic ruin like it has happened in this country a number of times. The most important matter facing Kenyans when it comes to shared prosperity - which is one of the items that I have listed above - is generating sufficient jobs and employment, particularly for our young people. Kenyans are frustrated with the lack of sufficient and meaningful job opportunities. Much needs to be done to grow those sectors of our economy that would lead to high employment and promote and develop small-business owners in the country in order to enhance self-employment. My colleagues will agree with me on the many abusive texts we receive from our unemployed youth who believe that we have a responsibility to give them jobs. Any time there is recruitment in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Kenya Police, I receive thousands of texts on my phone asking for employment. When they do not get the jobs, I receive an equal number of abusive texts. You cannot fault those young men and women because they are frustrated. There are no jobs. They have gone to school but they do not know what to do with their lives. They expect us as leaders and policy-makers to come up with solutions. If you cannot come up with that solution in their own estimation, the net effect would be to insult and abuse you and call you names. With social media, you will be surprised at what we see. Furthermore, corruption, as the principal threat to the existence and well-being of Kenya, has undermined public trust in our institutions and shattered the hopes, dreams and aspirations of entire generations of Kenyans. What amuses me is the ease with which Kenyans have decided to accept corruption as part of life. When you talk about corrupt leaders who should not ascend to certain positions in this country, the next thing you hear is that everybody is a thief. I keep on telling them that I am not a thief. Why do you call all of us thieves? If you are a thief, call yourself a thief, but do not call all of us thieves. You find that it is very normal not to judge leaders on the basis of theft. When the leaders start stealing, Kenyans start complaining again. Kenyans must come out strongly and state that it is wrong to put thieves in positions of leadership. They should act through their vote because that is the most powerful instrument that they have to correct and determine their future. That is why I am happy that at least the BBI Bill is proposing certain steps to be taken to handle issues of corruption. One of the steps is making it clear that those cases must be concluded within a certain period of time. If we can conclude presidential and parliamentary elections within a short period of time and put timelines in place, why can we not put timelines for corruption cases to be concluded? This is so that those who are innocent can enjoy and continue with their lives, but those who are corrupt and have stolen public funds should be taken to jail in record time, so that others are discouraged from engaging in corruption. They should be aware that it is very expensive and costly to engage in corrupt activities. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill contains the results of a two-year process in which Kenyans from every walk of life, in almost all our counties, across Government entities, and with a wide variety of expertise, made their views known. I will highlight proposed constitutional reforms as presented in the Bill. It is important to appreciate that the process has been all-inclusive through public participation where views presented were analysed and validated by Kenyans to initiate a constitutional amendment, through or pursuant to the provisions of Article 257 of the Constitution. That is why I do not agree with those who are questioning the public participation on this Bill. 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."
}