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{
"id": 1438926,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1438926/?format=api",
"text_counter": 236,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Kikuyu, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
"speaker": null,
"content": "and personnel to carry his bags, including the photographers taking those photos. Therefore, his security was not in question at all. Secondly, in terms of the dignity and honour that comes with that office, the Deputy President had this flight paid for by the Government of Kenya using taxpayers' money. Keen observers saw that he was seated on seat 1A, and the chief blogger in his office, the former Member for Nyeri Town, was seated in seat 2A in the business class. Others, including two security officers, were sitting in the business class with him and many others in the economy compartment. Let me assure the country that the Deputy President was very safe on that flight, and there is nothing unusual in him taking commercial flights. Many of you who attended the National Prayer Breakfast will remember His Excellency the President affirming that out of the austerity measures the Government has instituted and which we effected through the Supplementary Appropriations Bill, his office, that of the Deputy President, and that of the Prime Cabinet Secretary had cut their budgets substantially. I only encourage the President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the Deputy President to bear in mind those austerity measures by reducing the delegations when they travel. If not for anything, I am certain nothing would happen to you when you are in the skies, so one or two security officers might be adequate. You do not need three or four photographers to travel with you on a plane. You can send some by SGR or drive to Mombasa. I encourage all Government officers, including those in Parliament, to bear in mind that we are in a tough situation due to the austerity measures the Government has instituted. I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I saw Members of Parliament carpooling to Naivasha because they thought it was easier to hold their meeting there. This should be the spirit. I have seen questions being raised, especially by bloggers, whether the Deputy President is entitled to use military aircraft. I engaged the Cabinet Secretary for Defence. So that we may put this matter to rest, I will be writing to him to appear before this House in plenary to answer questions pertaining to the use of military aircraft in the country. He asserted the other day that only the President, as Commander-in-Chief, and the First Lady have access to military aircraft since we do not have a Deputy Commander-in-Chief. The Deputy President has a police aircraft designated for his use, currently under maintenance. The Cabinet Secretary tells me they will finalise its maintenance in the next few weeks. Not only is it a police aircraft maintained by the Government, but whenever the Deputy President is flying it, for his safety and security, bearing in mind the office he holds, it is usually flown and operated by Kenya Air Force pilots and servicemen, so that we can assure the country of the Deputy President's safety. I have been informed that when the Kenya Kwanza Government took over, the Defence Forces would occasionally allow senior Government officers to use their aircraft on request. Ordinarily, Government policy dictates that when any senior Government officer, like the Deputy President or the Prime Cabinet Secretary, intends to use a military aircraft because they are designated for military operational work, he should request through the Office of the Head of Public Service, Felix Kosgei. Let me put it on record because I have checked the facts. On the day that Hon. Okello refers to, Madaraka Day, the Office of the Deputy President never requested, through the Office of the Head of Public Service, to be facilitated with military transportation. He opted to use other means of transportation. As to why he had to keep the President and the country waiting for 40 minutes is a matter I am not able to engage in because I would not know why he decided to get late. You 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."
}