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{
    "id": 234814,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/234814/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 205,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 195,
        "legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
        "slug": "raila-odinga"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to come to the appointment of the Commissioner of Insurance and that is to be found in Section 3E(I) which is on page 1179. It reads as follows:- \"There shall be a Commissioner of Insurance who shall be the chief executive officer of the Authority and who shall be appointed by the Board, in consultation with the Minister, on such terms and conditions of service as may be determined by the Board in the instrument of appointment, or otherwise in writing from time to time\". Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is no provision here for transparency in the appointment of this chief executive officer of the Authority. We need to specify clearly in this Bill that his appointment shall be on competitive basis. In other words, that there is going to be an advertisement, people will apply, they will be interviewed maybe by some agency and then the names selected and submitted to the Board. However, if we leave it the way it is here, the Board is 3620 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 14, 2006 just going to handpick people and most of the times it is the Minister who just picks people and takes them to the Board. First, I would like to see the name of the Minister removed from here so that the Board is independent. How is the Board independent if its hands are tied? It has to go and consult with the Minister first before it appoints the Commissioner of Insurance. So, I would like to see an amendment to this amendment here to remove the Minister so that the Board is truly independent. We have seen cases where Ministers interfere with the work of the Board and that will reduce the independence that we are seeking. Secondly, I want it stated here that \"the Board shall advertise these positions and people will apply and will be selected competitively\". That is the only way that will ensure that what keeps on happening all the time with regard to boards does not happen in this Authority. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to conclude my remarks by just asking the Minister to think of the very critical issue of what we call ambulance chasers. Ambulance chasers in the insurance industry are a menace. They fleece money from people who have been involved in accidents; some of them who are completely maimed and there does not appear to be a provision to deal with this menace in this country. I would like the Minister to seek proper advice from the Attorney-General if he cannot use this amendment here to introduce a provision that will enable him to deal properly with this menace of ambulance chasers because it is really a serious problem that requires serious attention. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}