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"id": 215004,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/215004/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mungatana",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 185,
"legal_name": "Danson Buya Mungatana",
"slug": "danson-mungatana"
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, may I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister for moving this Vote. The main issues that he has highlighted are there for us to see. I congratulate the Minister for the various points that he has raised here to show that, indeed, the amount of money that this House voted for this Ministry in the last Budget was well utilised. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have been informed in this House that there has been tremendous development of the housing sector for the police. We have been informed that new barracks have July 10, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2361 been put up in the Administration Police Training College and that new housing units and large development housing projects for the police have been started. This goes to show that the amount of money that this Ministry was allocated last year was well utilised. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is another point that is probably not a very core function, but we are very happy to see the upgrading of the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), which is the national drug-fighting agency, from a mere agency to an authority. We are very happy that the Minister proposes that some reasonable amount; Kshs60 million, be apportioned for this authority because we all know that it affects all of us in our various constituencies. This vote should be supported. This is an area where we have lost many of our youth and we continue losing them. We think that the Minister has taken a step in the right direction, especially upgrading the agency to an authority level. In we have, in this House, expressed a lot of concern for cross-border crime. Indeed, many times, many hon. Members have raised the issue of people from across neighbouring countries coming over to commit crimes within our borders. It is heartening to see that the Minister has prioritised the question of fixing our porous borders. This is a good point that needs to be encouraged. On the question of police communication, many times, we have seen our security around and all of them are using the very old system where they have to hold huge things right to their ears! It is a good idea that the modernisation of this force has began. It is good to hear that, at least, Kshs100 million has been put aside for the upgrading of the Presidential Escort Communication System. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in many other countries, when we go out--- Recently, I was there in certain other countries; you see security people, you cannot tell them, but they are in constant communication from the point they pick you to the point they are supposed to take you. It is encouraging to see that the Minister is thinking in this direction, especially in the protection of our Very Important Persons (VIPs). Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the direction of destroying small arms in this country, this is a crucial issue of security within our country. Most of the crimes that are committed within our borders are committed because of proliferation of these small arms. We are encouraged by the fact that the Minister has chosen to pinpoint the fact that a focal point has been set up within our Republic for the monitoring of the proliferation of small arms into this country. We think that the Minister is taking a step in the right direction, although we need serious funding in this particular aspect. There is an institution that has been set up, which is very good. We know that it is supposed to be supported by regional bodies within the borders of this country, which is very good. But very little has been coming from those areas, which means that there is need for enhancing the financial allocation for this particular item. All in all, we are still encouraged by the fact that this issue has been prioritised by the Minister. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is very good to hear that for the first time in the history of this country, people who are affected by crime are able to go to the computers and download the P3 forms. We would like to see a good measure of computerisation and modernisation of services in this Department of the Government. This is a step in the right direction and we should encourage the Minister. We would want to see, for example, other information being available on the internet which people can use and know the status of our security, even when or how to access this information. We have been told about, for example, the recruitment of officers. The Question has come to this House many times asking; how many people are being taken from whichever area--- This information should be posted right in the computers and the internet so that we can feel that this Department is going in the direction in which we want it to go. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are encouraged by the steps the Minister is taking towards making and 2362 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 10, 2007 modernising the services of security in this country. One of the things that remain a challenge in this nation today, is the state of security. People are worried and it is important for us, as a House, to give him enough funds. The Minister has come here to tell us that he has the challenge of inadequate transport, training facilities and equipment. It is the duty of the House to add value to the efforts that the Minister has made by pushing this budget upwards and probably enhancing the budget in the next allocation. With those few remarks, I beg to second this Vote and urge the House to give the Government the necessary suggestions and support this Vote."
}