HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 603516,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603516/?format=api",
"text_counter": 147,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kangara",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 12543,
"legal_name": "Benson Mutura Kangara",
"slug": "benson-mutura-kangara"
},
"content": "entities to disclose information, the public also needs to know what goes on in this House. I do not think we have anything to hide. On the issue of corruption, the bodies in charge of fighting corruption have highlighted that 70 per cent of corruption cases happen because of procurement, which is shrouded in a lot of jargon. Even the tenderer does not really understand what goes on. Once you bid, apart from the tender opening, the other processes, including technical evaluation, are shrouded in a lot of secrecy and are handled by few people. This is where corruption happens. I believe that if we become more open, we will be able to fight corruption. Every year, the Auditor-General publishes a report on how public entities have been conducting business. In most cases we read, and we can attest, that corruption has happened. However, this is usually when the damage has been done because it is one year down the line. So, if we can have a process where we can prevent corrupt activities, it will be good for this country. I have seen county governments signing agreements with private entities. For example, the Nairobi County Government signed an agreement with Web Tribe, a private entity, to collect revenue on behalf of the county government. When I got a copy of that agreement, I found an offensive clause, that that agreement was to remain a secret between the two parties, who are the county government officials and the private entity. I believe this is not right. To safeguard public money and interests, we need to be open. Even the community needs to know the benefits that will accrue from some of these agreements. Recently, I saw the Governor of Kiambu complaining that most of the city residents flock Kiambu hospitals because his county government has stocked medicines in those hospitals. There was a counter from the Governor of Nairobi saying that is not the position. If we have access to information, we can find out from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), from which counties buy medicine. It will be easy for us to shame the county governments which are not buying medicines, otherwise the counter accusations will continue. Information will enable us to see who is working and who is not working. Kenya is usually ranked poorly internationally, and even amongst failed states, because we do not have this law. I believe that with the passage of this Bill, we are going to move towards a better position. Even entities which would like to come and invest in this country will feel safe and secure that at least when they need information it will be given to them and some things that usually happen behind the scenes will not happen. It is not just a matter of giving information but the accuracy of the information should be paramount. Two months ago two banks were put under liquidation. This also applies to the matter of Kenya Airways (KQ), Mumias Sugar Company and National Bank of Kenya. These are entities which have been giving inaccurate information to the public. The information was somehow cooked to deceive the public that these entities were doing very well, but in real sense there were a lot of issues that needed to be looked into. I believe Hon. Nyokabi has put a provision in the Bill for deterrent measures against such entities. We should not just be given information. The accuracy of the information is paramount. Lastly, as a member of the CIOC, there are very many Bills that are still pending. This year, as a Committee, we came to this House to seek for an extension of time. I urge my sister to consider taking up the role of coming up with some of the pending Bills. Thank you."
}