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"id": 240435,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/240435/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Bahari",
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"speaker": {
"id": 156,
"legal_name": "Abdul Bahari Ali Jillo",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. From the outset, I would like to say very clearly that public investments are key to the revival of the economy of this country. That can only happen when those institutions are properly managed. I must appreciate that, at the macro-level, the Government has done a lot in terms of trying to streamline State corporations. They have introduced the issues of performance contracts and other reforms. But as the Public Investments Committee (PIC) Members, it is our duty to ensure that we scrutinise the activities of specific parastatals under specific Ministries, and ensure that they perform their mandate as set out under the law. Our mandate emanates from the authority of this House, which is extended to the people of the Republic of Kenya. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is in this spirit--- Sugar is a very important commodity in this country. Everybody knows that, that sector has experienced problems over a period of time. At the same time, you know how many Kenyans are dependent on that sector; directly and indirectly. Therefore, the PIC made sure that it made a move to ensure that the Board is given a free hand in the management of sugar affairs, as is required by the law. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is this same House that has carried out many reforms, both legal and administrative, to ensure that, the sugar industry is streamlined. It is in that spirit that the PIC came up with this Report. The laws are very clear. We have talked to the Minister, just as the Mover has pointed out, and we did not get justification for his actions. When a Board like KSB is put in place, it is expected to regulate its activities. A board sends a Chief Executive on compulsory leave, but the same Chief Executive is reinstated without any consultations. You cannot expect harmony in that industry! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we respect the Minister with all his powers, but at the same time, harmonious working relationship is absolutely necessary. It is extremely irregular and unfair to put in place a Board and incur a lot of expenses and then behave like you do not need that 2450 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 27, 2006 Board, and yet the members of that Board are elected by the stakeholders. It is absolutely necessary for the people in positions of power to ensure that institutions are run in accordance with the law that has been put in place by this House. The Chairman of the Public Investments Committee (PIC) has clearly explained all the pertinent details, namely, the interpretations and misinterpretations from other quarters. I do not need to dwell on the legal issues and how they have been misinterpreted. Sugar is one of the key items in the basket of a common man and when its price is affected as a result of mismanagement and abuse of offices, then you know what the implications are. I know that the Government is very keen on the feelings of the public and I do not think that it will support this kind of mismanagement in public affairs. We expect to get support from all quarters on this. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, now that these issues are very clear in the minds of everybody, I beg to second."
}