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{
    "id": 522738,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/522738/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 146,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I want to thank you for noting that you are taking it up with the Liaison Committee. One of the things that is of concern to me is that in the past, I have known in the House that whenever we have put contributions and suggestions of Members by way of procedure, when we raise concerns, we do not have to bring individual amendments. However, because I have seen that the chairs of committees do not take that role seriously, we are forced to bring individual amendments, as I am going to be forced to bring mine. I hope once you take it up with the Liaison Committee, it will be sorted out. I will be proposing amendments on Clause 2, on the definition of ‘contract administration’. This is because from a legislative perspective, if you provide terminologies such as this one among others, it is actually subject to abuse because somebody else who will be reading the law, be it the Cabinet Secretary or someone else, will bring up all manner of terms into that definition. Another place where I want to propose an amendment is still in Clause 2 on the definition of ‘disadvantaged groups’. This is because it does not define what ‘disadvantaged groups’ are yet we know from the spirit from Government policy that disadvantaged groups include women, the youth and persons with disabilities. So, even if you want to leave it open-ended, it is good to leave it open-ended while you have already recognised the groups you want to include. Another thing that I hope the Committee will take up, as an issue of concern, is the issue of tender box which is defined to include virtual box. Even though we know that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a very progressive thing and that the country is going digital, my concern is how to secure a virtual tender. It means that you only have a few Kenyans who are ICT knowledgeable. Therefore, it means that you are giving them some sort of monopoly over the tendering process, which then goes counter to governance principles. I will not talk to the issue of Cabinet Secretary and the powers they are given on appointments of regulatory board members and other appointive positions, which members have spoken to at length. Personally, I have proposed amendments to that area because it is not a good governance practise. One of the things I am proposing consistently is to make the process open, transparent and competitive where appointments are concerned. That is in tandem with even previous laws we have passed. An example is Clause 10. In order to save time, I will not go into the details. The other issue that I would like to speak to is one that hon. Ogari spoke to last week. I respect the fact that he is a professional. I am not a professional in this area and a lot of times I stay in this House to be persuaded especially by the professionals in this 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."
}