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"speaker_name": "Capt. Nakitare",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion has come at a time when this country has been left in a vacuum. I support the Motion on the following grounds. In the recent past, this Parliament has created committees and commissions to deal with corruption, but there have not been any checks and balances. The Ndung'u Land Report has not been implemented, for instance. By passing this Motion, we shall have a Committee that will keep the Government on its toes. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is embarrassing that very many reports are never implemented. The reports of the Controller and Auditor-General which expose financial malpractice in Government are read on the Floor of this House and never implemented. We have been silent for too long, and that is why the Government stands accused for not rendering services to its people. Do we have to pass laws and rules only to see them taken to the museums? Do we have to go back to the museums to look for the various issues that were discussed at the Kiliku Tribal Clashes Committee, Ndung'u Land Commission, Chesoni Commission and so on? There must be a monitoring unit that will keep the Government on its toes. This Select Committee should be given powers to sharpen the teeth for the Government to implement what Parliament has passed. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Mover of the Motion has enumerated most of the corruption-related issues that the Government has not addressed. As hon. Members of the House, we are legislators. We come here to legislate, but only for the legislation to go to the archives. This is a very serious issue and we need to give power to Parliament through such committees. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking at the proposed list of Members of this Select Committee, they are people of integrity and have a vision for this country. I know that they will work without fear or favour and will tackle issues that the KACC will have faced. If you remove the fangs from a big snake, it will not be poisonous anymore. If this Parliament has no teeth to bite, we have no reason to come here and draw huge salaries. We come here to make sure that things are going on well. We should have the right to call upon any Minister who will have failed in his duties. We will be investigating issues and bringing reports here for recommendation for further action. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya is not different from other countries that have watchdog committees. I know we have forces that are opposed to the development of our country. We have been undermined because we do not have checks and balances. We are going forward without looking back. We are passing Bills without following them. So, this is the right time for all our Members to have a prefect in this House. We need to have a cane in this House that will make the Government fear and make civil servants upright. Why do we keep on calling ourselves corrupt? In corruption, there is always a giver and a receiver. I think Kenyans alone are not corrupt, but outsiders come and corrupt us. They think that May 3, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 881 since Kenyans are poor, you can buy them cheaply. These are the things that Parliament needs to look into. When people come to invest in this country, we give them the green light to do so, However, we have to know that such people do not have any strings attached to that investment. Therefore, this is the only Committee which, once formed, will penetrate all other Committees, Ministries, commissions and even individuals, to make this country alert. We should not wait for people to demonstrate in the streets so that we understand that Kenya has a problem. Why do hon. Members not demonstrate here even if they are not happy with the receipts they get from here? I have never seen a Member of Parliament demonstrate here. Why should we let our people sacrifice their lives by running into the streets? That is because they have lost the power to reason. If you lose the power to reason, you turn to violence. So, we have to find a way in which Parliament will act. With those few remarks, I beg to support the Motion."
}