Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 974455,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/974455/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 342,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 129,
        "legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
        "slug": "james-orengo"
    },
    "content": "and it is properly implemented, it will be an effective way of reducing this cancer called corruption in Kenya or completely eradicating it. If we were not talking in this Chamber where we have got rules on debate, if names were to be mentioned in this Chamber of public officers or those in political office who by virtue of that office have acquired wealth that even if you were to share a cup of tea with some of the richest people in the world like Bill Gates and Bezos of Amazon, they will tell you that that wealth could not have been from hard work. The problem is that once wealth is acquired not by hard work, but through fraudulent means, the society suffers. If it was possible to do it without society suffering or without the nation suffering, then probably we can live with it. However, just look at some of the very important infrastructure projects that have been undertaken in this country, a lot of them have led this country to incur debts and loans that are completely beyond the reach of this country to pay when they are due. If they are paid when they are due, then it means services that should be rendered to the taxpayer cannot be paid for. As a result, the increase of wealth and the expansion of the economy becomes completely impossible. Madam Temporary Speaker, looking at this project called the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), if it was done properly and effectively; all the studies were done effectively and we are getting value for our money; you would see a difference along that railway line. Just by building a hub in Istanbul, a new airport completely switched the operations of airlines in Europe. Turkey became a seaways hub just by building one iconic infrastructure in terms of the airport. Part of the success of Dubai is that you would think that that country is built around the airport. The airport is a kind of reference centre. Dubai has also excelled in fields such as sports and racing; it is not just about oil. When you do one successful infrastructure and it is done properly, it leads to benefits down the line. As a result, the whole country grows, and the economy grows. The Asian Tigers, if one had to look at the growth of Singapore, is really around using the oceans and seas around that little island State. If you look at Taiwan and Japan without natural resources, they go into the service industry. What does Hong Kong possess which we do not have here in Kenya? I think part of the problem that we have had in this country is this menace of corruption. The many tools that we have to deal with it, the better. However, they must be effective tools. For that reason, I am in complete support of this. The area that I would want looked into is the extent to which a lifestyle audit would interfere with the Bill of Rights because I think that should always be at the back of our minds. Reference to certain sections of the Criminal Procedure Code, particularly on question of search and seizure, I think if those powers are to be exercised, there should be provisions in this Bill to show to what extent that the power of search and seizure can be used for what purpose and that there should be specific return dates for purposes of progressing with the investigations. In many investigations that are carried out by the investigative agencies on mere suspicions, somebody’s house could be searched and property seized probably even for a year or two. There is no return date and effective inventories taken. Sometimes it is a tool The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}