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{
    "id": 457480,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/457480/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, I stand to oppose this Report. I have been opposing it because the implications of what the Committee is saying are wider than what we think. I wish the Committee could have delved into telling us how Mututho does not qualify to hold that office on account of the cases that he has. This is fundamental. The reason the Committee is refusing to recommend Mr. Mututho is that he has cases in court. But why would it apply to Mr. Mututho and not all of us? Are we saying that the moment you have a case in court you cannot hold a public office? The issue of alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya is a national issue. It is a cancer. Mututho has clearly demonstrated the passion that he has for fighting this national menace. Homes are being broken because of alcohol and drugs. I am in no way saying that Mututho is the only one who can do it, but he has demonstrated that he has the passion, he loves the job, he can do it, and he can make a difference in the country. Fundamentally, as a House, we must know that whatever we pass here, we are setting precedent. If we say that the moment you have a case in court you cannot hold a public office, why should it apply to Mututho and not all of us? I would want to oppose this Report. What I would like the Committee to tell us is how Mututho will be unable to discharge his duties on account of a case which has been in court for 15 years. We have to be fair and recognize Kenyans who are doing a good job for the country. It takes contributions from a few of us to change the country. Alcohol is destroying families. Some of us are parents and we have teenagers. Our daily worry is what happens to our children in schools. If we can get a czar who can lead from the front in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse--- What happened to the principle that you are innocent until proven guilty? Is being taken to court enough proof that you are guilty? The case is in court! Why do we not let the case carry on so that if he is, indeed, found guilty then we tell him: “You have been found guilty and you are not fit to hold public office”? At the moment, as far as I am concerned, the man is innocent until proven guilty. He is fit to hold the post. I oppose this Report."
}