Mr. Shill: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Hirola issue has been given a lot of publicity because the Hirola has been classified as one of the most endangered species in the world. As a result of that, donors from all over the world have brought in money for conservation purposes. Could the Assistant Minister confirm or deny that over Kshs 30 million is being misappropriated in Nairobi under the pretext of conserving the Hirola?
Mr. Samoei: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I deny that allegation.
Mr. Achola: On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. We seem to be talking about something which is very important here. I would like to know what this Hirola is. Could the hon. Members from the bush explain to us what this animal looks like so that we can participate in this debate?
Mr. Samoei: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Hirola is a species of the family of the antelopes that is found specifically in Ijara and that particular area of our country. Unfortunately, I do not have the scientific name for it with me.
Mr. Munyasia: On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. Hon. Achola has referred to those of us who do not know what that particular word means as “Members from the bush”. Could he be asked to withdraw, because we are not “Members from the bush”? I represent Sirisia Constituency.
Mr. Shill: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think this is a very important issue and I do not like the way the Assistant Minister is down-playing it. This is an endangered species which is found only in Kenya. The rate at which it is being poached and eradicated is alarming. It is a worldwide concern. Could the Assistant Minister tell the House what immediate steps the Government is going to take, to make sure that poaching does not go on? Secondly, how is that money that has been donated going to be utilised so that the community can benefit?
– Extract from the Kenya National Assembly Hansard, 2000
Mr. Ojode: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister one specific question. Why is he having three categories of Permanent Secretaries? There is one category which earns Kshs36,000 per month and there is a second category which earns Kshs300,000 per month and then there is this “Dream Team” who are still dreaming!
Mr. Speaker, Sir, could the Minister tell this House how long this secondment will be in place because the Kenya Government is spending over Kshs12.5 million for only six “dream teamers”? If we were to pay only Kshs100,000 to all the PSs, the Kenya Government would spend only Kshs1.5 million on them because they are 15 Permanent Secretaries. Why should we spend Kshs12.5 million on only six people who are still “dreaming” and yet there are people who are qualified to do those jobs? You are demoralising those other PSs.
Mr. Okemo: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am finding it difficult to understand the question. What was the question?
Mr. Ojode: He is also dreaming, Mr. Speaker, Sir!
– Extract from the Kenya National Assembly Hansard, 2000
Mr. Murungi: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it would be extremely foolish for any Member of Parliament to vote against this Motion because it is in the interests of that Member, this Parliament and the nation at large. This Parliament and the constitutional system of this country is based on that fundamental concept called “separation of powers” as defined by the French philosopher called Montesquieu in the 18th Century. The concept requires the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary to be independent and separate from each other and each of them is supposed to act as a check on the powers of the other one, so that there is no tyranny; absolute dictatorship. Indeed, it was intended to curb the powers of absolute monarchs in Europe in the 18th century. It is very unfortunate that while we talk about separation of powers, in practice in Kenya, the concept is that of concentration of powers in the President.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Professor Okoth-Ogendo, who is not in any way associated with the Opposition, has described the Kenyan Presidency as the “Imperial Presidency”. The President has the powers of an absolute monarch. He is very much like Louis XIV of France, for whom the state was him and he was the state, and in Kenya, Moi is the State and the State is Moi. In England, we talk about supremacy of Parliament. They say that Parliament is so supreme and powerful that it can turn a man into a woman.
Dr. Kituyi: It can turn the total man into a total woman!
Mr. Murungi: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my colleague here is saying that it can even turn the total man into a total woman.
Mr. Murungi: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is in England and not in this country. Anyway, it was on a light note.
The Minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry (Mr. Biwott): On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Is the hon. Member in order to compare the unlikes? Can he also confirm that this House is so powerful that it can turn hon. Kiraitu Murungi to be a mwekuru of Meru?
– Extract from the Kenya National Assembly Hansard, 2000