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{
    "id": 556400,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/556400/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 151,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "This Report by the PIC highlights some of the things that are very wrong with our country where investors come to Kenya with the promise that they are going to improve things and transfer wealth to our people but the underlying motives are to fleece our economy. It is very sad. It is sadder that this usually happens with connivance and active collaboration of our own people. Looking at this Report, I want to believe that their recommendation particularly that the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) should investigate circumstances under which the Cabinet’s decision for the modernisation and refurbishment of the firm was ignored and the officers who flouted the Cabinet’s decision, should be implemented. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is not just this one. We have many cases where officers routinely disregard Executive decisions and go ahead to get involved in the use of public resources in a manner that is totally inconsistent with the spirit of oneness of our country. I wish to urge that even as we debate this Report, we ought to realize that part of the frustration that we have had as a House is that we come up with very good recommendations and resolutions, but when it comes to their execution or implementation - which is a function of the Executive - it is very weak. We have reached a time in our country when we have to turn a bend and the only meaningful bend that we can turn as a country is to start holding people to account. Public resources are meant for public good. But the attitude of most public officers in Kenya is driven mostly by vested interests. People negotiate not to confer or transfer the greater good of the public, but only to pursue public vested interests. Look at even the way this agreement was signed. It was clearly signed with the intention of ensuring that benefits go to particular individuals. The maximization of the benefits does not go to the people of Kenya, but to particular individuals. I am happy that the Committee, in its Report, is bold in saying in the recommendations that those who participated in the negotiations in the drafting and signing of the share agreement which, of course, included the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, the Investments Secretary, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Petroleum Oil Refineries Ltd (KPRL) and, of course, the current Governor should be investigated. If we continue like this, it will become an endless merry-go-round. We have people who are clearly culpable and who should be an example to others. They should know that when they are made to be in charge of public resources, they are nothing but custodians. We tend to portray an attitude that, as long as we maximize personal benefits, then everything else is immaterial. If you look at the considerations that were due to the Government in this particular arrangement, clearly, somebody was taking the people of Kenya for a ride. Honestly, this is the story of our country. This country, which has so much promise, has in more ways than one, come to stagnation merely because when we are given the opportunity to consider things on behalf of the public, we tend to put aside the public good and tend to focus more at the vested interests that derive from our positions in those offices. I do not want to take too much time debating this Report. Once again, I commend the Public Investments Committee (PIC). As I do that, I want to also say the following. As the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), we have many good reports which have been tabled in this House which are, in fact, intended to strengthen the management of public affairs in this country. It would be nice if we had a priority of reports - a sort of first-in-first-out mechanism - where reports that are taken in early are debated first. The impression that is created out there is 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."
}