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{
    "id": 676622,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/676622/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 88,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "fact that this will also lead to consistency and standardisation within counties is a good thing compared to what is happening now. We have different approaches and ways of recruiting as many people as there are counties. The fact that we now have a document that will assist in ensuring consistency, predictability and fairness is a good thing. Also, the Bill gives some timelines and deadlines. There is a section that indicates that there must be a notice of, at least, 21 days before the interview can take place. That allows time for the appointees and nominees to prepare themselves, get the required documents and appear properly before the vetting committees. There are times when candidates are hardly given any time to prepare. They may be given a day or two despite the fact that preparation may involve travelling and looking for certain documents. Sometimes we even feel that perhaps the short time is deliberately given to favour certain candidates. The fact that we now have a document that lays out the timelines within which the various processes should take place only makes it fair for everybody. The spirit of openness and transparency that is expressed in the Bill is good. The fact that the names of the nominees and candidates will be announced in newspapers that have national circulation is a good thing that promotes openness and transparency. The other area is that there is a guideline to define where the focus should be in evaluating the candidate. The Bill indicates clearly that the focus should be on the academic qualifications, experience, professional training and integrity. That also protects the candidates from having to undergo questions that may be irrelevant, too personal or not well-intended. It is a good Bill that will give guideline to those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that we get efficient and well-qualified people to work in our counties. That is very crucial because we would like devolution to succeed. Our hopes are in devolution. The success of devolution will largely depend on the quality of staff that is hired. Unless we have the right methodology and approach, we might end up with the wrong people in the right places. The Bill also gives the right of being heard. As much as it promotes openness and allows members of the public to write in and make comments on candidates and nominees, it allows them the right to be heard, so that the allegations against them are not just taken at face value. If allegations are made, then, those who make them should be prepared to substantiate. I support the fact that the vetting committees should have powers to summon anybody that has made allegations to clarify, verify and produce any documents or evidence with regard to those allegations, so that we do not allow people to make loose allegations against others. I have also looked at the questionnaire that has been put there and it is fairly standard. It is important to have those kinds of questionnaires, so that when you have so many candidates, you have fairly similar information on each of the candidates rather than leaving it at the level of the application. Everybody has their own style of application and you may miss certain details. The issue of standardising the questionnaire and application form is a good one. It is a fairly standard practice. It is a good practice in the process of employment or hiring staff. It was not clear in that Bill how the terms and conditions of various positions will be determined. It is not clear whose responsibility it will be. There may be need to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment for various fairly similar positions or functions are as close to each other as possible. Otherwise, there may be distortions if certain counties pay higher or lower salaries to certain cadres or professions than other counties. For example, if we are hiring the chief of staff at the professional level, a doctor or a teacher, it will be good to see that this is fairly consistent in all the counties. That can only be so if we have some guidelines as to how that will be done or who will be responsible for that. 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."
}