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{
    "id": 157067,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/157067/?format=api",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The hon. Member did not read out the Question. However, I beg to reply. Members of the Kenyan public have expressed concerns, principally through the print and electronic media regarding a directive by the Ministry of Finance that all married couples working in the same State corporations be required to make a choice within six months who between them is to relinquish their employment. It was stated that the objective of this directive is to reduce the opportunities for conflict of interest. I wish to inform the House and the public that the Grand Coalition Government position is as follows: One, this particular directive has not been deliberated and agreed upon by the Cabinet. It is not intended to be the policy of the Grand Coalition Government to discriminate against public servants on the basis of their marital status. Two, there is no law or official regulation barring employment of married couples in the State corporations. Three, the Grand Coalition Government will not wish to disrupt the livelihoods of public servants but it is rather committed to supporting the family unity. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have therefore, directed the Ministry of Finance to withdraw the said directive to maintain the status quo . I also wish to assure all public servants that the Government will continue to safeguard their rights in order to provide them with an environment that is conducive to quality service delivery. Good corporate governance requires that cases of real or perceived conflict of interest are dealt with firmly and fairly. Marriage in itself is not an automatic ground for conflict of interest, neither can it be viewed as a recipe for corruption at the work place. Various approaches have been applied to deal with the issue and in some instances, a spouse is precluded from seeking employment in the same organization where the partner is already employed. In other cases, those who get married while in employment within the same organization are not allowed in the same department or over the same assignment. I have, therefore, directed the Ministry of State for Public Service to rapidly develop, through effective consultation within the Government and based on the best international practices, a draft policy on this matter for due consideration by the Cabinet. In developing that policy, due consideration shall be accorded to the special circumstances of teachers, doctors, nurses and security personnel."
}