HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 255077,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/255077/?format=api",
"text_counter": 228,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Kamama",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Lands",
"speaker": {
"id": 165,
"legal_name": "Asman Abongutum Kamama",
"slug": "asman-kamama"
},
"content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, an hon. Member was trying to object to what we call Executive Order. However, I am surprised that he was one of the Ministers in retired President Moi's Government, but he never opposed the districts that were created during that period. So, I think sometimes it is hypocritical to talk about things when it is expedient to do so. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, our economy is really improving; judging from the following benchmarks. Cement consumption in this country went up by about 12 per cent. Also, the credit that went to farmers grew by a certain percentage. So, I think there is some semblance of improvement in our economic growth, although I know that the trickle down effects of the growth of this economy have not actually gone to the grassroots; the common man. That is our assignment as people in Government to make sure that, that is realised. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of drought I think the Government did its best, but I must also admit that we managed it through what we call, management by crisis. I think, in future, we need to respond very quickly when we have such problems. I am happy that the Government has spent about Kshs3.8 billion to address the issue. But I think we need about Kshs8 billion to address it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to touch on the issue of corruption. I am happy that Ms. Karua was appointed to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. I would urge her to deal will the cases of corruption; old and new. She should deal with Goldenberg cases, the Ndung'u Report and the Anglo Leasing scandal. We should deal with these issues very firmly and conclusively. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the issue of lawyers also to be investigated. We have about 6,000 lawyers in this country. About 2,600 of them have actually been branded as corrupt. There are many complaints from the public that a good number of them are corrupt. The complaints office has actually established this. So, a good number of them also have contributed to corruption in this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of wealth declaration, I fully support the March 29, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 175 President. I would like that information to be made public. Using that information, we will know those who have stolen from us. I know quite a number of them are on the Opposition side. So, that step will go a long way in informing us who stole from Kenyans. We know that one family owns land the size of one province in this country. The rest of the Kenyans are left to occupy an equivalent of seven provinces. So, we should conclude the constitution-making process by bringing on board our colleagues from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Indeed, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ms. Karua, has promised to do so. We want our colleagues from the ODM to come on board so that we can make a Constitution that will take care of all Kenyans. I am sure that the Government side cannot make a new Constitution alone. We want the ODM to work together with the Government side to conclude the constitution-making process. Let us wait for the report of the committee of Eminent Persons appointed by the President to look into the contentious issues on the new Constitution that Kenyans want and then we will bring together the two teams. Recently, we were told that the Government plans to sink some exploratory oil wells somewhere off the coast of Lamu Island. We want the exercise to be fast-tracked, so that our youths can get employment. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, over the years, trade in this country has grown by about 9.5 per cent. If we want to succeed as a country, we should transform Lokichoggio Airstrip into a free port. We want a special port for the people of Ethiopia. Ethiopia would like to access Lamu as its own port, but it has been very difficult for that country to achieve that objective. I am told that they now want to use a certain port in Djibouti. I think we should give the Ethiopians a port. Even the people of Sudan want a port in our country. So, if we want to develop, let us provide ports to Ethiopia and Southern Sudan. Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity."
}