Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 681141,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/681141/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 176,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Barua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1529,
        "legal_name": "Ejidius Njogu Barua",
        "slug": "ejidius-njogu-barua"
    },
    "content": "The PBOs Act, 2013 was discussed in this House about two-and-a-half years ago. I think the concern of the Mover is that once we passed the Bill in this House and it was assented to by the President and became an Act, it has not been operationalised. Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs), in simple terms, are those institutions that work from outside the formal Government structures. The same organisations offer services to the same Kenyans who the Government serves. So, I do not see anything we should fear in having this Act operationalised. Over time, PBOs have been very important partners in the development of this nation. We are also cognisant of the fact that some PBOs - and I repeat some PBOs - have been involved in some activities which are not necessarily positive to the development of the country. Those are some of the mischief this Act was supposed to fix. This Act was intended to improve the governance structures within PBOs so that they can be more accountable to the people and be able to offer development that communities have identified and which they desire for them to move forward. For the PBOs to be effective, they should try to reach out and fill the gap which the Government is not able to fill. If they do that, then they will play a very important role in this country. I remember during the debate in this House, there was unanimity that if those organisations work on the gaps identified by the constituency, county and national development plans, we can get far. That is why I am worried that this Act has not been operationalised. Those good benefits have eluded the communities in general. PBOs get donations from people who sacrifice their money and comfort so that they can alleviate the suffering of poor people. It is for this reason that if this Bill is operationalised, the sector can be put to order. We have in particular the NGO Coordination Board which is supposed to report and coordinate, from a Government platform, the work and operations of PBOs. Giving the Cabinet Secretary (CS) the overall goodwill to determine when this Act would be operationalised leaves the whole country in a situation of uncertainty. I think that is too much power given to one person. In fact, there is no reference to any institution which is supposed to advise the CS on when to do it. Right now, this is like an open cheque. The CS can do whatever he or she wants to do with it. It is important for us to pass this Bill so that the Act can be operationalised. In future, we can set timelines when Acts should be operationalised. The Act also provides for conflict resolution mechanisms. As long as the Act is not operationalised, the institutions that are supposed to do that cannot be put into place. Both the civil society and the Government serve the same people. We should be able to get what is good from both sides so that we can move forward. The Government should not be afraid of extended freedoms of its people. If this Act is operationalised, we shall be able to get 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."
}