HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 253939,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/253939/?format=api",
"text_counter": 241,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 195,
"legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
"slug": "raila-odinga"
},
"content": "Listening to the Minister say that the corruption network was never uprooted, I could not help but draw comparisons between Kenya and the Republic of Georgia in the former Soviet Union. The Government there came to power on the platform of reform and change, and there was a lot of goodwill from the people of that country. But the Government did not move fast to rein in the networks of corruption, and within two years, the network had resurfaced, and in the end that Government went down the drain, consumed by mega corruption. When we took over Government, there was a lot of hope. Surveys showed that Kenyans were the most optimistic people in the world. The wananchi used to arrest corrupt police officers manning roadblocks and take them to the police stations. But, gradually, because of our inaction, the old system has bounced back. All over the country, the police are now doing business as usual at roadblocks. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was interested to see the Minister look at the list on page 52 of the Report. I would like to make another comparison in line with what she was doing. We realise that in one day, Kshs11 billion was signed off. Looking at this list from page 52 to 53, we find that April 6, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 441 in a period of five years, that is, 1997 to 2002, a total of 12 contracts were signed. From 2003 to 2004, a total of six of those contracts were signed. That is an average of three contracts per year, which is higher than those signed by the previous regime, and yet, the NARC Government had sworn that it wanted to rein in on corruption. On page 53, in one day, that is, 16th July, 2003, a contract worth Euro 60.2 million was signed for the Oceanographic Survey Vessel. The exchange rate at that time was about Kshs100 per Euro. That amounts to Kshs6 billion. So, we have not performed any better than our predecessors. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the general information of all hon. Members here, I would like to say that when we took over leadership, we did suggest that the starting point should be a comprehensive reform of the Civil Service. I remember saying sometimes in the Cabinet meetings that we needed, for example, to revive the Civil Service Code. The responsibilities of the Minister have been mentioned here several times, as contained in Section 22, Subsection 3 of our Constitution. It says: \"Where the Vice-President or any other Minister has been charged with a responsibility for a department of Government, he shall exercise general direction and control over that department, and subject to that direction and control, every department of Government shall be under the supervision of a Permanent Secretary.\" Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we said that we wanted this to be changed. Article 117 of the Ugandan Constitution states as follows: \"A Minister shall individually be accountable to the President for the administration of their Ministries and collectively responsible for any decision made by the Cabinet.\" The Tanzanian Constitution says that a Permanent Secretary is a principal advisor to the Minister. Those constitutions are very clear when it comes to separation of powers. The Minister is the boss and the Permanent Secretary is answerable to the Minister. But our Constitution has created two bosses in a Ministry, without clearly stating who is superior to the other, and that is the problem. We never reined in on this monster and it has come to haunt us. We said that we wanted a Minister to be properly responsible, because in the eyes of the public, the buck stops with the Minister and not the Permanent Secretary. Yet, out there, we will find a Permanent Secretary in a Ministry who has been brought there just to undermine the Minister. He does not answer to the Minister, but to the Head of the Public Service who keeps on summoning him to meetings in his office without reference to the Minister. This is a problem. It needs to be dealt with. But I am sorry to say that it is rather too late in the day for this Government to deal with that problem. We actually identified it when we took over power, but unfortunately, our plea was never heeded. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have a lot of respect for the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs. At the same time, I have a lot of sympathy for him. I want to say the following with a lot of respect for him. The lease finance has been mentioned and it has been stated that this was passed by a resolution of the Cabinet. I was present at that meeting and I want to set the record straight. The memorandum that has been referred to here under Minute No.91 of 2001 and reads as follows: \"The Minister presented the memorandum which had approval for specified financing arrangement of priority security projects for the police force. Cabinet was informed that an inter-Ministerial Committee on Security had ranked security needs in the country given high priority into three key projects; namely, police housing, transport and forensic science laboratories. Fifteen stalled housing projects had been earmarked for urgent completion, while new housing units will be developed in 442 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 6, 2006 phases in different parts of the country, beginning with the urban areas. The Cabinet noted the contents of the memorandum and approved the use of lease financing as the appropriate mode of financing for the high-priority security projects of housing, transport and forensic science laboratories and the use of supplier's credit for essential security equipment and supply. The Minister of State responsible for Provincial Administration and Internal Security and the Minister for Finance, to take the necessary action.\" Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this minute here did not approve any specific project. It basically states that the Cabinet approved the principle of the use of supplier's credit and lease finance. Those of us who are engaged in business, know that lease financing as well as supplier's credit is a very normal way of transacting business the world over. A number of companies in this country use equipment which have been financed through lease financing. So, there is nothing wrong with the principle of lease financing or the use of supplier's credit. The problem here is the abuse of that facility and yet, the Cabinet did not sanction it. Therefore, I want to set the record straight that the Cabinet did not approve Anglo Leasing projects or any other projects. I would like to, once, again refer the House to page 42 of the Report, which Ministers have referred to extensively. I would like to state that I have the highest regard and respect for His Excellency the President---"
}