HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 242888,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/242888/?format=api",
"text_counter": 276,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Wamunyinyi",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 291,
"legal_name": "Athanas Misiko Wafula Wamunyinyi",
"slug": "athanas-wamunyinyi"
},
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important Sessional Paper on the NGOs. I want to join my colleagues in supporting and calling for order and sanity within the NGO world. All of us have seen how NGOs have operated in this country. We have them operating in our respective constituencies. They purport to undertake various projects within those respective areas. They do receive funds from various donors for specific projects which they propose first 2110 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 13, 2006 before they get funding. Normally, there is no control over the implementation of the projects. The NGOs are not accountable to the beneficiaries of the intended projects. They do not account to anybody the funds they receive. In most cases, some of them, divert those funds to other projects. Some of them concentrate on organising seminars and workshops at the expense of real benefits to the people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we all heard the contribution by Mr. Wetangula. He said there are some NGOs, which instead of doing the proposed and funded projects, concentrate on opposing sitting hon. Members of Parliament. Some of these NGOs, we find them in our areas. For example, one NGO in Bugoma District has received funding to the tune of about Kshs200 million. The amount received, which, of course, is said to be for marketing and promoting farming, no impact can be demonstrated as having been achieved since that NGO received funding. Another NGO, which is associated with the same one, known as Sagret Africa, has also received money to the tune of Kshs200 million. Interestingly, the board members of that NGO comprise members of the family, friends and relatives of the CEO. That CEO is directly involved in the politics of Bungoma District. I must point out that we are not scared of opposition, but it is important that NGOs are run properly and stick to the proposals for which they came up with for the funding to be given. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there was another NGO which recruited people, some unemployed wananchi to do some work on a road which runs from my constituency to Sirisia Constituency, Mr. Wetangula's constituency. After the work was done, they disappeared without paying the people who were recruited. We appreciate the support they give in terms of what we want to do. However, if you recruit people for a purpose, they do some work and then you disappear without paying them when the funds have been provided by the donor, this is not right. These are the issues we must stop and ensure that the Government puts in place regulations which will facilitate proper functioning of the NGOs. The Government must set out procedures and rules, and ensure that a transparent environment is provided in the manner in which these NGOs are run. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you go by what we have heard, that some funds have been channelled to the NGOs because of previous blame on the Government, and even that some donors will want to deal with NGOs and other community-based organisations in this country--- As I speak now, a lot of money has been channelled through them. The Government needs to do something. These NGOs cannot account for that money nor show the projects they have undertaken. It is, therefore, paramount important that the Minister moves with speed and brings about a Bill to put in place laws to ensure that whatever we get, which is well intentioned, serves the people of Kenya. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, a shining example is the one given by Mr. Ochilo- Ayacko. He said some NGOs were involved in opposing a very important project for this country which was intended to increase the provision of electric power. That is the Sondu Miriu Power Project. In fact, it is not the only project they have opposed. Apart from direct opposition to projects, which are important to this country, NGOs have also been involved in frustrating and obstructing projects initiated by hon. Members. They sabotage them, so that they can get an opportunity to also fight to get to where hon. Members are. Therefore, we have obvious reasons we can talk about, about NGOs operating in our areas. We can say this over and over again, but most important thing is to put in place rules, regulations and procedures, which are clear. We must ensure that they are followed. Action should be taken against any NGO that fails to adhere to the law. The law must not apply selectively, it must apply to everybody. There must be very specific provisions to the effect that if an NGO fails to adhere to the provision of the law, then action must be taken against that particular NGO. It is in this respect that we have been trying to ensure that--- July 13, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2111"
}