Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 574663,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/574663/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 46,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, as it has been said by my colleagues before me, the Committee has done a fairly commendable job in preparing this Report. As it stands now, the East African Community comprises of more than 200 million people. In my view, that is a big block in terms of its position not only in the African continent but also in the whole world. For a very long time, what has bogged down East Africa and African countries is the general feeling of helplessness. This is in more ways than one a contradiction. This is because if you look at what happens in our region our country included, a lot of times we engage with the outside world more or less as junior players. If we can establish and stamp the weight of our position in this region and Africa as a whole on the face of the word, we will be listened to. We have had many cases where the picture we project as Africans is that of helplessness, but I think this may not be the case. If you look at how we manage our affairs, there is still a lot that needs to be done. I would want to believe that we can afford to be more assertive if, as the East African community, we exist as a unit and in a way project the image of a united community. I am sure my colleague, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, will agree with me that our country still leads in terms of defence and security spending by far. In fact, I was looking at an analysis of the defence spending of East African countries since 2011 and the Kenyan defence budget is bigger than that of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi combined. Ironically, for a long time, which is partly due to our geographical location, we seem to be the most insecure country in East Africa. With this East African Community Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Matters, I believe East Africa will better her defence because there cannot be more legitimacy for a government to be in force than to provide security for its people. Any government that looks unable to provide security for her people puts its own legitimacy to question. People cannot even engage in economic activities if they do not feel secure. This Protocol is good. It has been said that it applies to human beings as it applies to countries. You may not have friends but it is a must that you have neighbours. If we can cooperate as East African neighbours, it will be easier than always running out to the west, which also has its own problems. Sometimes we tend to give the wrong impression that the west does not have problems. The west also has her own share of problems. East Africa can manage its own affairs, if we become more prudent in the way we manage our funds, for instance. You have just seen that we tabled the annual report of the Auditor-General for 2013/2014 two days ago. Of course we are yet to look at that report in detail, but if what is appearing in the Press is true, then you ask yourself what could be achieved if we just reduced the wastage that is in public spending. This is not just for national governments alone. If you look at the wastage at the counties, then you ask yourself how much more can be achieved if there was more prudence. The mutual defence pact between the republics of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda is a good one, but I will hate a situation where it tends to perpetuate the notion that it is a coalition of the willing. You have heard this thing about the coalition of the willing, which excludes Tanzania and Burundi. If East Africa is to pull together, then we have to pull together as East Africa. When it appears that certain parts of East Africa are pulling in a different direction that is not good for the unity of East Africa. We even say that this co-operation needs to be extended to other areas. 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."
}