Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 500674,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/500674/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 109,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Katoo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 199,
        "legal_name": "Judah Katoo Ole-Metito",
        "slug": "judah-ole-metito"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to second this very important Bill, the Public Service (Values and Principles) Bill, 2014. First, of all, if you look at the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, this Bill is supposed to be enacted by this House in the fourth year; after the promulgation of our new Constitution. We are on time and, therefore, it is very important that we do this business at the right time. Hon. Deputy Speaker, this Bill is very straightforward and I want to follow in the footsteps of the Mover, the Leader of Majority Party, by saying that it applies to all commissions, both at the county and national level that are mostly tasked with employment. If you look at Clause 2 of the Bill, it talks about County Public Service Board and County Assembly Service Board. It also refers to those commissions enumerated by the Leader of Majority Party, constitutional commissions and independent offices that are in Chapter 15 of the Constitution; specifically Article 248 of our Constitution, the 10 commissions and the two independent offices. Therefore, everybody has been brought on board. Hon. Deputy Speaker, if you look at Clause 5 of the Bill, the issue of values or principles of PSC is covered. If you read through sub-clause (1) up to sub-clause (2) (h), it talks about the values of a Public Service officer. He is supposed to be honest and display high standards of integrity in his or her duties; must be transparent, accountable to his or her action, be respectful towards others, objective, patriotic and must observe the rule of law. Then read it with Clauses 5 and 6, where it requires efficient, effective and economic use of public resources. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I just want to underscore the fact that civil servants should not feel that they are being intimidated when discharging their duties or when they are in the line of duty. That is because these are the principles that can make somebody feel like his or her hands are tied. It may make some to be very indecisive in terms of taking action because fear is being instilled in them. They fear to be accountable because they have not seen this Bill for a long time. There have been regulations in the PSC that always enumerate these features. But I want to plead with the public servants that this is a Bill that is meant to make their working environment very conducive and to bring fair play in the field of work. They should not shy away from taking action or from being decisive in their duties. Hon. Deputy Speaker, if you look at Clause 7, it talks about PSC being very responsive. That is what we are lacking. The PSC should be very prompt, effective, impartial and equitable in terms of provision of services. In terms of being responsive and prompt, you sometimes go to public offices and it takes a of lot time to be served or to receive a service. This is what is being legislated to ensure that there is a timeframe for every action that is expected from Public Service. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}