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"id": 816443,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
"speaker": {
"id": 13331,
"legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
"slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
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"content": "It is disappointing, so to speak – and I say this with great deference to my colleague who was also my year mate at the university, namely, the former chairman - that on the face of it, the office has performed dismally. The cases we are seeing of corruption and misuses of police power would have been prevented or minimised if this office had worked hard enough, diligently and proactively by listening, investigating and taking appropriate disciplinary action. Of course, a chat and discussion with the membership of the Commission revealed lack of resources and inadequate budgetary provisions as the main problems. Nevertheless, lack of money should not be an excuse not to deliver on their mandate. I stand with those of us who urge that in the next budget-making cycle, we need to give them a little more funds and resources to enable them devolve their activities all over the country and reach the wanjikus, wanjirus and Onyangos deep in the villages and in the small urban centres. They need to get closer to the people. As things stand now, there has been massive abuse of human rights in various directives implemented by Government officers as a result of presidential directives or roadside declarations given by other people. If, indeed, we had a strong ombudsman, probably the hue and cry concerning human treatment during evictions in the Mau Forest, in Kibra and very many places would not be a constant occurrence in the daily newspapers and social media. It is important that the two ladies and gentleman, as they assume these positions, know that they have their work cut out. They should know that they have an onerous task of ensuring that they address injustices meted upon the people of Kenya. As many of you have stated, it is important that we have an independent body. This brings me to the case of the appointees. As much as we would be reluctant to discuss individuals, the regulations are very clear. Many of us, privately and publicly, have reservations about the first and third nominees simply because of their past associations. We are afraid that they cannot be independent. It is practically impossible to be independent. There will be so many issues raised against the Government and I am afraid, and I can take it to the bank, that for sure, there will be an element of cover-up. There will be an element of protecting the system that took them to those positions. So, obviously, I am afraid that during their term, nothing substantive or useful will come out of it. Of course, with regard to the third nominee, the former Registrar of Political Parties, there has been a bungled system of nominations and poor system of membership. We have had very many cases where persons would be registered in three or four political parties without their consent. If the system was foolproof, it means that there is a management or organisational challenge that she has not dealt with. However, as many of my colleagues have said, it is good riddance. Probably with her departure, the political landscape will improve tremendously. I want to urge them, as they assume their positions, that as much as they are more or less committed or inclined to some political persuasion, it should not be their business to protect the government; their business should be to protect the ordinary mwananchi who in many cases suffers injustice, administrative malpractices and have nowhere to go. As I conclude, it is important that those of us who sit in committees to vet people go out of our way. Many times, we have the challenge of public participation which cuts across very many functions and activities that we perform as Members of Parliament. The response from the public is generally minimal and generally useless. It is nothing of value that can help. We ought to go out of our way to literally solicit for and get views and do our own research to find out the issues. I am sure even if they would have asked the current holders of the offices, they would have given them volumes upon volumes of complaints against the outgoing RPP. These are The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}