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{
    "id": 681199,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/681199/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 234,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Oyugi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 444,
        "legal_name": "Augostinho Neto Oyugi",
        "slug": "augostinho-neto-oyugi"
    },
    "content": "on two fronts - one at the federation level and another at the authority level. If applied, those kinds of checks and balances will be useful. Thirdly, most PBOs have been coming to communities and environments and working without the members of the public knowing what they are supposed to deliver. With the PBO Act coming into force, they will be able to give information to the various communities in terms of their budgets; what they are planning to do and the timelines in which they are supposed to do so. That sort of accountability will ensure that the communities are not ambushed and we do not have people who are just soliciting for money in the name of communities and not delivering results. The fourth thing is to appreciate the fact that not all development the world over can be done singularly by the Government. That is why we need to give PBOs a chance to support the extra work of Government in terms of development in moments when the Government is not able to. The other thing is the fact that the Government ought to give PBOs space. A Government that supports fundamental rights, civic and political issues, makes the people bond. If we have a robust PBO sector, that Government is going to be kept in check. Whenever Government is kept in check, at least, there is someone to tell them when they are wrong. It is good for Government to make sure that the PBOs have space for purposes of democratization and ensuring that Kenya is run properly. The other thing is that the PBO Act having been assented to in 2013, the PBO sector has been in limbo for too long. Right now, we must make sure that this particular law comes into force so that the sector people can move forward in terms of making sure they adhere to the particular issues that are in the PBO Act. The objectives of the Public Benefits Organisations (PBO) Act are very clear. The Bill states that the Government is supposed to consult with PBOs so that work is harmonised. There are several sectors where PBOs have been in competition for services. During the immunisation programme, some children were immunised twice simply because PBOs were in competition. With this law coming into force, there will be regulations in terms of the places that PBO’s work. Programmes are going to be monitored because there will be harmony. I would like to warn various briefcase NGOs because there are people who have been operating briefcase issues in the name of communities and soliciting for money and then disappear. Once this Bill comes into force, it will ensure that the whole Act is streamlined so that we can have accountability. The Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare might be keen and desirous in bringing other amendments to give effect and improve sections of the PBO Act, which is quite in order. I would like to request them to first ensure that this Act is operationalised. We should look at the good aspects of the Act and the parts that need to be amended in a forward looking manner without really saying that we cannot operationalise it until some sections are amended. Let us first operationalise the Act and after seeing the wrong parts of it, we can then amend them."
}