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{
    "id": 233636,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/233636/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Nyachae",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Roads and Public Works",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 342,
        "legal_name": "Simeon Nyachae",
        "slug": "simeon-nyachae"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank Mr. Muturi for mentioning about the alleged loss of Kshs85 billion through procurement. I think we are fond of just being mesmerized by people who open their big mouths and quote big figures. Since Kenyans are intelligent enough, it is high time we demanded that anybody who makes allegations that Kshs85 billion has been lost through procurement, should give us the breakdown. In which areas of procurement did the money get lost? We should see the breakdown so that we can work out the total and then confirm whether the money truly has been lost. We should not just listen to a young man from Transparency International (TI) talking about figures which we do not know how he arrived at. He did not even tell us how the money got lost. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this House and the Ministry should make some contribution towards the issue of priority. When the floods started, I travelled to Mombasa by an Airforce helicopter. My colleagues and I were stuck for two hours because the helicopters could not function effectively. They are not being serviced. How can a country like Kenya have helicopters which were bought 25 years ago? How can we still be using such helicopters? Whenever we land somewhere they fail to take off. Surely, we can replace them. I do not fear flying. In fact, I like it. But this time, on my way back having seen the helicopter not doing very well, I asked the pilot who was flying it, how old it was. He told me it was purchased in 1977. You know when you are airborne and you start thinking that the helicopter can easily break down, you will not be comfortable. Even at my age, I love myself. So, I was not quite comfortable. I would advise the Minister that so long as he follows the right procedure, he does not have to provide cash at one go to purchase an aircraft for the Airforce. Most countries in the world, including the USA, purchase their equipment on credit. The Minister should get proper means of transport. In reality, we want to look after our borders. But if today we had a crisis there, mobilisation would become a very big problem. If we do not have enough equipment, we cannot deal with emergencies. It is the vehicles which we procured only this year that managed to move 30 temporary bridges from Nairobi to Coast Province. If we did not have those vehicles, those bridges would not be undergoing repairs. We must decide on the issue of priorities. Finally, this issue of priorities is beyond the normal economic growth. We must give priority to the needs of the poor. I think, whether we like it or not, our economy can grow, but as long as the poor are the majority we will always face constraints in the smooth management of our system. This is because the poor will always feel frustrated. They will feel that they have nothing to lose and can do anything they like. This is why people are quarrelling over all kinds of things, as was the case in the recent clashes in Mathare Valley. You can give all kinds of excuses. Why would somebody collect taxes illegally from chang'aa ? First, chang'aa is brewed illegally. Then the one who collects taxes from chang'aa selling people is also acting illegally. People who have decent income and enjoy reasonable living conditions will not do such things. So, we must also pay attention to the poor people, so that they can come out of this situation, which threatens the growth of our economy. With those few remarks, which are more than I usually make, I beg to support."
}