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"id": 254369,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Kenyatta",
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"legal_name": "Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, all major Government projects, whether security-related or otherwise, and of a certain magnitude, must receive Cabinet approval. As a Committee, we found it incredible to be told that Kshs2.3 billion or more could be signed out so easily and yet when officers responsible are asked to explain, all they could say is: \"I did not know of it. I was misled.\" It is, therefore, the Committee's view that projects of a certain magnitude must receive Cabinet approval. The Cabinet must be briefed about such projects. By extending the number of people who are aware of what is going on, we will be able to reduce the capacity of a few individuals who might try to use this loophole. That accountability will create greater transparency. It is clear, in our Report, that in all the 18 security-related projects an incredible US$800 million plus which is about Kshs62 billion or 20 per cent of the gross expenditure of the Kenya Government in a year, was fleeced. It will shock you as it shocked the Committee that that expenditure was incurred without due approval of this House through the budgetary process. It is you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, who reminded us the other day that one of the key responsibilities of this House is to go through the Government's Budget. No further contract, security-related or otherwise, should be approved outside the budgetary system. That should be brought to an end. The Controller and Auditor-General audited all the 18 Anglo Leasing and Finance Company security-related projects. This Committee requests the President to give exemption to all public officers from Section 18 of the Kenya National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act so that this House, through its PAC, can, indeed, look into those details without having to be consistently told that, \"I cannot answer that question because I have not been given authority.\" There is every good reason to do that. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we also state that all other recommendations that had been included in our Report be incorporated as part of the recommendations that will be passed by this House. For some of us it has been a very trying time. It has been a very trying time for myself. I would also in this regard like to acknowledge the Chief Whip of Government. It has been a very trying time because accusations have consistently been made by one side or another that we have interests or no April 5, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 389 interest. For the record, I was once on the Government side of the House. When I was on that side of the House there did exist a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with a constitutional mandate. It was not a PAC for the current President, His Excellency, President Mwai Kibaki. Today I have that responsibility as the Leader of the Official Opposition to Chair the PAC not, on behalf of KANU, but on behalf of the alternative voice in this House. Let us learn that those responsibilities will continue to shift from one side to the next. In another term, we might be on that side of the House and you will be on this side of the House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let us mature to the point where we can understand that this is not about one individual or one government versus another. The role of ensuring that public funds are used in the best interests of Kenya will last for perpetuity. We should avoid making personalisations and accusations that are baseless. Ultimately, I believe that we were all elected to this House to ensure that Kenyans are given the best that they can get from whichever side of the House. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the House that we rise above sectarian and partisan interests and debate this Report earnestly. We should not try to be investigators because we are not. We should accept that we have a problem that we need to rectify. We should exude a sense of patriotism as we debate. This Report should not be treated as a basis for acrimony or animosity amongst us. This is an important opportunity for our country to rid itself of a monster that we have consistently talked about. This is also an opportunity for the Government to walk the walk in its tough talk on corruption. Take that positively. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let us send a very strong message to all Kenyans. Let this House send word to the whole world about our commitment as an institution called Parliament, to fight corruption honestly and in earnest. Let us look at this Report and find out where further investigations are required and if that is the case, let them be carried out. Whoever is found to be guilty, including myself, should face the full force of the law because that is the only way we will begin to get political accountability in our nation. Let us not look at each other as adversaries. Twenty percent of our budget which is Kshs60 billion was misused. Let us imagine what we could do with that amount in our constituencies in terms of building roads, hospitals and schools. We would also have used that money to provide proper infrastructure so that investments can grow in this nation and our millions of unemployed can find employment, hope and faith in their nation. That should be the attitude that we adopt. As I beg to move, that is why I request 222 hon. Members of Parliament to support this Report and let this nation move on. I beg to move, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}