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{
    "id": 306804,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/306804/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 171,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Shakeel",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 140,
        "legal_name": "Ahmed Shakeel Shabbir Ahmed",
        "slug": "shakeel-shabbir"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, I will work within that requirement. As I was saying yesterday, the Constitution required legislation to establish procedures and mechanisms for expected administration of Chapter Six. The Bill that we have in front of us, the amended one, does not provide for this effectively. It also fails to proscribe penalties that may be imposed for contravention of this chapter. The Attorney- General told me yesterday that there is a chapter on penalties but it does not cover Chapter Six of the Constitution. Furthermore, there are major weaknesses in The Leadership and Integrity Bill as proposed by Parliament. The one that was proposed by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and stakeholders had mainly concentrated on declaration of income, assets and liabilities. I know we have already signed a wealth declaration form, but that is hidden in the office of the Speaker. I think this time, the stakeholders and everybody else are saying; let transparency come out. Let it be clear. There are some people who want to contest for the governorship of Nairobi. There is one man who is bragging that he gets Kshs9 million in rent every month. We know this person and I wonder how he has moved in 15 years from where he was to now getting the rent of Kshs9 million. I also hope that he is paying tax. These things should come up very clearly. The declaration of income, assets and liabilities should be clear. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of gainful employment, the proposed Clause 26 has actually allowed all forms of gainful employment. We had said that there should be no other gainful employment; the little changes mean that the directorship of private companies is allowed, and so is undertaking other investments or work. When the Moi regime allowed doctors and state officers, especially the permanent secretaries and other state officers to engage in other employment, it went wrong. That was when officers started taking advantage of their positions. So, I think we need to go back on that one. This Bill also fails to provide for procedures to elect or select leaders on personal integrity, although the Constitution says it. The Constitution clarifies it. For those who were wondering where I was standing, Section 73 of the Constitution allows for selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and suitability or in a free and fair election. Those Members of Parliament who are worried that this Bill is going to cause a difficulty in the vetting of 2,000 people, who will be vying for state offices, be assured that this will not be so. As a matter of fact, the Constitution says that if you are elected in a free and fair election that is a integrity test in itself of the people, for the people. That in itself stands. However, there are issues of the weakening of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. I know we have weakened it before but it appears that this Cabinet has gone further and weakened the Bill. Clause 52 provides for mechanisms aimed at disciplining errant officers. Those mechanisms are not going to work. I think what we need to do is strengthen transparency and also the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission."
}