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{
    "id": 524801,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/524801/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 130,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Baiya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 8,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njoroge Baiya",
        "slug": "peter-baiya"
    },
    "content": "If a case arises where public resources have been misappropriated, the right thing to happen is that the Auditor-General should have unlimited access to information requisite for the investigation he is conducting, including access to bank accounts held by suspects. That does not mean that he is not going to do any conviction. It only means that he is going to make the information available to whichever other organs of the State that may be called upon to act on it. I know a lot of concerns have been raised. Therefore, this Bill requires to be looked at especially at the Committee Stage, so that we can sufficiently give the Auditor-General power not only to audit, but even in the process of conducting investigation, to have access to information including to bank accounts held by private individuals who may have conducted business with the Executive or with public funds. With regard to the security provisions which have been provided under the current Bill, there is clearly an attempt to over-restrict access of information on security from the Auditor-General-General’s report. Whereas it is true that there may be security-sensitive information that may not, in the public interest, be put to the public there is over- restriction. For instance, when the Bill provides that disclosure would harm some people’s business interests, that provision is very dangerous. It would negate completely the whole idea of auditing if somebody is going to be harmed. Even in all the cases where we are talking about corruption, be it in the recent “chicken” case involving the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), some individuals are being mentioned who are Kenyans. So, if the legislation was to be passed the way it is, it would mean that even the “Chicken” Report and the persons mentioned would be excluded merely because the assets or property which were acquired happen to have an element of security. So, we should only confine ourselves to non-disclosure of vital information. I see my time has run out. I beg to support this very important Bill."
}