Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 203865,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/203865/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, I stand to oppose the amendment. It is quite obvious that the Public Officer Ethics Act has turned into a useless piece of legislation due to the opaqueness of the manner in which we handle declarations. Unless they are opened up, an individual can even put a blank piece of paper in a sealed envelope and we will never know whether they actually declared their wealth or failed to do so. This legislation will not merit remaining in the statute books unless we can open the declarations to scrutiny. I do not see any danger to any individual whatsoever, if the fact of their wealth, or lack of it, got into the public arena. It is a measure that will help enhance transparency and put leaders on the spotlight, so that if you amass wealth that is beyond your means within a given period, then people can, in public interest, follow. This is a clause put in, in public interest to enhance transparency and accountability and smoke out looters. September 13, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3939 It is not correct to say that yesterday we did not take away powers of the Commission. When you delete whole sections that allow investigations, you are destroying the powers of the Commission. Let people have courage of their conviction. When you stand and propose to delete a section, be courageous enough and say: I would rather opaque declarations. Open declarations are harmful to me or to a group\". But it is in the interest of the public that these declarations be opened. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, I beg to oppose the amendment proposed by Mr. Wakoli and support the amendment proposed by the Attorney-General."
}