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{
    "id": 737469,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/737469/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 258,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "Kshs1,000 per square metre or something to that effect and yet the delivery notes that were presented to the Committee show that the hardcore was being sold at approximately Kshs5,000 per tonne. That level of brazenness is an outright theft. The other issue that came out is the weak environment of regulation of banks in Kenya. I am very disappointed with the comments we received from the Nation Media Group, who once said that we were side-stepping the issues. We are not protecting anybody. What we have said in the Report is that if the banking regulations – the regulator of banks in this country is the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)--- The accounts from which these monies were stolen are held at CBK. The Central Bank of Kenya cannot say they were merely conduits. You hold accounts in banks. It is not possible when abnormal transactions are being done in your account. That is why we have said the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act must specifically apply to CBK. It is also important for that unit in the bank, which requires declaration of abnormal accounts, to subject CBK to it. Therefore, we are not sidestepping the issues. It may look simple. Every Kenyan has an obligation. Representatives of the Nation Media Group were present when we were conducting this investigation. If they had evidence that would link anybody to this scam, they should have tabled it. We cannot go around shadow-boxing and naming people when we do not have hard evidence. The levels of corruption that we witnessed while carrying out this investigation were mindboggling. It will be a further indictment on our criminal justice system if the key architects of this scam are not prosecuted and punished heavily. If we are to turn a corner on the fight against corruption, the key architects of this scam, starting with the then Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Anne Waiguru and Eng. Peter Mangiti, should be held accountable. No one can say that they were just bystanders. People are given responsibilities in Government for a reason. There is error of commission and error of omission. Both have to be punished. Corruption is a major impediment to the realisation of the Kenyan dream. I have said it here before that with collective determination of every Kenyan, irrespective of your station in life, the war against corruption can be won; but it requires collective determination from all of us. If there is anything that is frustrating, it is the double-speak and hypocrisy by leaders in this country – particularly elected leaders – when it comes to dealing with the issue of corruption. Yesterday I heard a Member of Parliament speaking very eloquently about corruption in the NYS. He said that this Report is no more than a story book. The Member is among Members who not only actively supported but mostly benefited from one of the most corrupt governors in this country. It is like corruption at the national level is bad, and corruption at the county level is not bad. Corruption at the county level is as bad as corruption in the national Government. Corruption in the counties is denying the elderly their social protection. It is also denying orphans and widows their source of livelihood. No one can come here and speak eloquently blaming the Committee when they had a chance to appear before the Committee. Back in the counties, corrupt Governors, some of whom have more than 20 cases before the EACC are being supported to retain their seats. This is the case and yet here, some people feel they can rubbish the work of this Committee."
}