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{
"id": 977917,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/977917/?format=api",
"text_counter": 336,
"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"
},
"content": "It is instructive to note that during the oral presentation, the EACC had submitted to us a letter dated 19th February 2020 in which they had indicated they had not received the self- declaration form from the nominee and yet the same EACC, at its Huduma Centre, had stamped the self-declaration form on 14th February confirming they had received it. Indeed, at that particular time, and I am sure it has been in the media, issues were raised whether it was in order to proceed with the vetting and yet, the EACC had not provided a clear and unequivocal statement on the suitability of the candidate. However, we were duly advised by the Legal Department of Parliament that the mere fact that EACC had not submitted a report did not bar the Committee from vetting the candidate. Consequently, the Clerk wrote and submitted the self- declaration form by the nominee for the Commission to finalise the clearing process. After the approval hearing, the EACC, indeed, confirmed by a letter Ref: EACC.7/10/5 VOL8917 dated 20th February 2020 that they had not undertaken any investigations where the nominee had been found culpable. (d) The nominee has never been charged with a criminal offence in any court of law in Kenya or elsewhere in the world. Pursuant to Article 75(1) of the Constitution, the nominee has no engagement or association that will cause any conflict of interest. At this particular time, the nominee was put to task to really explain and expound on that particular aspect. He clearly said he has no other source of income other than employment as he is currently employed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Again, he indicated that his spouse is a civil servant without any other interests other than the interest in Public Service. We confirm that, indeed, when appointed, there will not arise a matter of conflict of interest. (e) He has never been dismissed from office for contravention of the provisions of articles 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Constitution which deal with the conduct, financial probity, restriction activities and leadership of State officers. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, as we concluded the vetting process, we took the nominee to task on policy issues considering that the sector or the department the nominee was going to head is part of the basket that constitutes manufacturing and that is why it is one of the key aspects of the Big Four Agenda. We made him understand the challenges affecting the sector and more so, we told him the issue of the widening trade deficit amongst international trading partners. We told him the challenge faced by local traders due to the crackdown on counterfeits which also, of course, nets in genuine traders or genuine importers. We noted that the wholesale retail and trade sector has been supporting and has accounted to about 74 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018, and has had a positive impact on employment. It has constituted to about 13.5 percent of employment in the private sector. In 2018, the sector grew by 6.3 percent and in 2019 – considering three quarters- it grew by 5.4 percent. Having taken him through all those and having received his response and commitment to serve in the industry, we concluded that having worked as a Director, Economic and External Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a Kenyan Ambassador to Brussels and representative to the European Union, he demonstrated adequate knowledge in international trade and diplomacy sector and enough knowledge in local trade issues. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, having considered the suitability, capacity and integrity of the nominee, and pursuant to article 155(3) of the Constitution and section 8(2) of the Public Appointment (Parliamentary Approval) Act 33 of 2011, the Committee unanimously recommended that the National Assembly approves the nomination and subsequent appointment of Ambassador John Mwangi Weru to the position of Principle Secretary, State Department of 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."
}