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"id": 710571,
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"speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
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"legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
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"content": "Service (NYC). I emphasise that the intention of these proceeding is nothing other than to uncover the truth and nothing but the truth. It can never be our intention, and it can never be the intention of these proceedings, to be used as raw materials for political wars. As a Committee, we cannot allow such wars to sway the outcome of these proceedings. Decisions under our procedures, including witness scheduling, are undertaken collectively within the Committee. Over the period of these investigations, we have received numerous submissions that required us to either call witnesses to appear before the Committee or write to them to either submit particular information or give further clarifications on matters before us. It is for this reason that the Committee, acting collectively, made the decision to first receive written submission from a firm known as “M/s Sigei Murkomen & Singoei Advocates” and an individual by the name of Farouk Kibet, whose names have been adversely mentioned before the Committee before a decision could be made on whether or not to invite them to appear before the Committee. It was, therefore, rather baffling to me when a Member of the Committee, who not only has a better access to our sittings but also to our proceedings, wrote to me insinuating reluctance or even outright refusal by the Committee, and by extension myself as the Chair of the Committee, to invite the two persons to appear before the Committee. This notwithstanding, the Committee has since received written submissions from Mr. Farouk Kibet, which we are considering. On the other hand, M/s Sigei Murkomen & Singoei Advocates had lapsed the deadline given to them by the Committee not submitted the required information. This morning, the Committee met and collectively gave instructions that they should be invited to make an appearance before the Committee on Thursday at 10.00 a.m. As far as the Committee is concerned, and as far as I am concerned, we have stuck to our procedures in the conduct of our business. We, therefore, view it as a fragrant violation of our procedures as a House. It is a fact that some Members of this House, including some PAC Members, have resorted to discussing the substance of the NYS investigations outside this House, particularly in the media, at political rallies and even at funerals. You had an occasion before to make a pronouncement on the need for Members to stick to the dictates of Standing Order No.86, which requires that we shall not refer to the substance or proceedings of a Select Committee before the Committee has made its Report before the House. Looking at the way this matter has been handled, with humility, I wish to seek your direction and guidance Hon. Members. As I said before, it is not our intention as a Committee that the proceedings before us should be used as raw materials for political wars. The matter before us is grave. It involves misappropriation of billions of shillings meant to address a problem of particular importance to this country – the youth of this nation. It needs no repeating that as a nation we have some of the highest youth unemployment in the world. In fact, Kenya’s youth unemployment stands only second to South Africa’s in Africa. Therefore, a matter as grave as this should be treated with the gravity it deserves. Particularly, it would be wrong if the Members of this House, particularly Members of 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."
}