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{
"id": 979698,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/979698/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Mwaura",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13129,
"legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
"slug": "isaac-mwaura"
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"content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, technologies such as artificial intelligence and block chain are some of the most effective contemporary means that can be applied to prevent, disrupt and, therefore, minimize corruption besides the traditional methods that have yielded results over time. Funds should, therefore, be set aside for the acquisition of these promising and emerging technologies within the ambit of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Madam Temporary Speaker, grand infrastructural projects offer opportunities to engage in corruption. This is due to the involvement of a relatively large number of people, particularly the professionals involved in the conception, design, feasibility studies, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) designs and the eventual implementation of the projects. Such projects should, therefore, be thoroughly scrutinized at every stage to preempt occurrence of what I call development corruption. In instances where the professionals involved in the conception and implementation of such projects engage in corrupt practices, commensurate sanctions, as prescribed in law including deregistration from professional bodies, should be applied without hesitation. Madam Temporary Speaker, investigative agencies should encourage whistle blowing and have programs in place to protect them. Further, naming and faming actually – not shaming – should be introduced as a new strategy of encouraging people to report suspected cases of all corruption. Naming and shaming, a strategy that has been deployed for a long time, should also continue to be done. On behalf of the Kenyan delegation to the symposium, which constituted Hon. Shakeel Shabir, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kisumu East Constituency and the Chairperson of APNAC; hon. Charles Muriuki Njagagua, the Vice Chairperson; Sen. Isaac Mwaura, who is the Secretary; hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona, hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa, Sen. Moses Wetangula; accompanied by our staff, Mr. Lawrence Amolo and Mr. Denis Nyasani, it is my pleasure and humble duty to submit this report for noting. Madam Temporary Speaker, when you look at the issue of corruption, it is important to look at why we went to Hong Kong; because that country was very corrupt in the 1970s. Corruption was so rampant to the extent that ambulance attendants would actually ask for tea money before they would pick up the patients. The police were so corrupt that people were paying protection fees so that they would not be arraigned because of crimes such as gambling, prostitution and what have you. However today, if you go to Hong Kong, it is actually one of the most developed countries in the world with the highest number of skyscrapers. It is actually a concrete jungle; more developed than even most of the jurisdictions in the West. Corruption is actually at its lowest. Therefore, this proves to us that it is possible to fight corruption. But it was very persistent and the turning point was when one of the police officers who was engaged in corruption – an expatriate from England – ran away, and the people insisted on an anti-corruption inquiry. Through the establishment of ICAC, the person was extradited and jailed for four years. Madam Temporary Speaker, from the proceedings of the conference, it has become quite clear that even some of the jurisdictions that were hitherto foreseen to be very advanced in the fight against corruption, there is a relapse, especially in the West."
}