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{
    "id": 253931,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/253931/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know that there are many Members wishing to participate in this Debate. But I want to agree that the error of single sourcing under the banner of security--- I will not say it will be gone because exceptional circumstances can demand. But single sourcing must be restricted and scrutinised. It is up to us to come up with a mechanism of being able to scrutinise. Why did we not hear of such scams in the 1960s? There may have been land allocations and all that. But stealing of money from public coffers is something that has come up in the last two decades. Why? Because we have become dishonest and we are encouraging dishonesty. People who have acquired assets unlawfully, even to our knowledge, are celebrated in society. They go to churches donating their money and instead of asking them how they reached where they are so fast; whether they bought rockets, we are clapping and inviting them. That is why I am saying we must redefine our ethics. Therefore, we need extra-ordinary measures that were not envisaged by yesterday's lawmakers because the human mind had not got to the deviousness it has gotten to today. Mr. Speaker, Sir, may I end by saying that we are called upon to rise to the occasion. Let us not politicise the war against corruption. It is not the time to lynch your enemy. You may just fall to the lynch mob yourselves. Let us advocate due process so that we do not convict innocent people. We should not let a guilty person go scot free. Let us advocate due diligence. Let us agree on the minimum agenda that we must all support as leaders, and let us be patriotic to our country. Most of all, let us respect one another. Let us respect our institutions. The Presidency is one of those great institutions. Parliament is another. Let us criticise where we have to. Let us be very 440 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 6, 2006 harsh in our criticism, but let us do it respectfully. Otherwise, we despise ourselves when we do otherwise. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}