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{
    "id": 1147812,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1147812/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 125,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. The fight against corruption will remain the cornerstone that will save this country. This country has enumerable resources, but we have been unable to take-off because of ethics and corruption issues. Before I make general comments on this matter, I want to draw the attention of the House and support the sentiments raised by the incoming Governor of Trans Nzoia County, Inshallah . The Report is very clear in respect of the nominee Mr. John Ogallo. When you read page 20 it clearly states that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) confirmed vide a letter dated 19th April 2022, that Mr. John Ogallo was non-compliant as at that date. They have provided attachments, annexures and a letter from KRA dated 12th May 2022 which is very clear. They confirmed that John Ogallo had settled the tax arrears in relation to monthly rental income, by making payment of Kshs108,500 by way of Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dated 11th May, 2022. Then, applied for a payment plan to clear the balance of Kshs302,913. Hon Speaker, the import of this letter is to show that the nominee simply cleared the tax arrears because he wanted to attend the interview. He had no intention at all in his life to pay taxes yet, he received rental income. He misfiled deliberately so to speak and later declared the income that was due to the country. Indeed, this brings out an integrity issue. How can we have somebody who will sit in an integrity related Commission yet, he declined to pay taxes? He only paid taxes because he had been offered the job. In any sense it beats logic. We are talking about the EACC yet, the nominee we are proposing to the Commission has integrity issues. Failure to pay taxes might not be corruption, but it is an integrity issue. This needs common sense; how do we proceed in light of this arrangement? We will become a laughing stock. How can we send somebody who has integrity issues to preside over the same? If the Standing Orders and Law allow probably, we can isolate and drop John Ogallo then proceed with the other nominee. Hon. Speaker, this is a gentleman who has never lived in Kenya and did not have the courtesy of travelling back to attend the interview, but attended virtually. So, we are creating another case like that of West Pokot County where the Deputy Governor has lived in the United States of America (USA) for five years earning public funds yet, not working for the people of Kenya. This has nothing to do with politics but these are core issues in respect of this matter. on. Speaker, the gentleman says that he will return to Kenya on 22nd May; and that is only if he is assured that he would be given the job. Honestly speaking, is he Kenyan enough? The only thing he knows about Kenya, as having been away for too long, is through theory and literature. However, he does not have the hard facts about Kenya. He does not even understand Kenya. If you live away for 20 years and so, you surely, cannot purport to understand the issues of integrity and everything. Hon. Speaker, he is not a suitable Nominee for the position that is being tabled here. We must find a mechanism of how we can isolate, and drop his name so that the appointing authority can go back to ask further details and research, and get us a qualified and competent person who understands the fight at hand so that the said Nominee can be allowed to go through. 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."
}