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{
    "id": 531329,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/531329/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 301,
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    "content": "Devolved Government, I am proud of the work that the Ministry does in capacity building. I am very proud of what the ministerial departments are doing. What is surprising, despite the noise that the Council of Governors usually makes in political rallies, is that all the governors have a wonderful working relationship with the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. It should not just be political noise. People have to sit down like we sat with her today to appreciate that there are ministerial working committees that deal with matters of sector by sector. Usually, quarterly, the Ministry of Health at the national level and departments of health at the county level meet and agree on various things. The same thing happens in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. There is a lot going on outside the limelight and the political arena. Therefore, we cannot condemn public officers in this House; we must give public officers support and behave in a manner that shows respect. In my contributions yesterday regarding Articles 73, 74 and 75, I said that the Constitution instructs us, as a House, that every time we make utterances and comments in this House, we must remember that this country has bestowed upon us a very important task and responsibility to preside over on behalf of millions of Kenyans who cannot sit here. We cannot condemn public servants unheard. We cannot make assertions about corruption without substantiating them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let me be very candid here. One of the things that have actually undermined the fight against corruption in this country is that every time there is a suspect, we do not respect the constitutional requirement of persons remaining innocent until proven guilty. Chapter Four of the Constitution is very clear on that matter. For those mentioned in the Anglo-Leasing scandal, we must respect the fact that even if somebody’s name has been called to sign a statement, the person remains innocent until a court of law proves that they stole money through the Anglo-Leasing scandal. If someone is mentioned in the Tokyo scandal, no one should condemn them until a court proves that they are the ones who stole and sold Kenyan embassies. If someone has been mentioned in the maize scandal, we should not condemn them until a court of law says; behold, this person was found guilty. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if we become a country of mob justice, we will undermine the rule of law. We will undermine the constitutional responsibility and the principle of someone remaining innocent until proven guilty. My colleagues seated on the opposite side should know that we, as a House, want to start cultivating a culture of maturity; a culture that appreciates innocence of other citizens. We must always remember the principle of someone remaining innocent until proven guilty. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to conclude with a story from the Bible. The Bible gives a very interesting story that Jesus said in a parable where one man who owed another a debt of say Kshs5,000. The master forgave him because he went to kneel before his master. The master told him; “because you are unable to pay the debt, I forgive you.” When the servant left his master’s office, he found another colleague; a fellow servant, who owed him, let us say, Kshs1,000. He ordered the fellow servant to pay him the debt or take him to prison. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}