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{
    "id": 576282,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/576282/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 157,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I would like to support this Bill. It has been a tradition in Kenya, for the last several years, to have the election date in December. Even the framers of this Constitution did not take this into consideration. It should have been taken into consideration from the word go. We also have the issue of the budgetary cycle for our country. Our budget cycle is not only for Kenya. When you look at the East African Community (EAC), which we are part of, the budget is read at almost the same time across the East African countries. Changing the election date will affect other member states. We have to be cognizant of the fact that we belong to this community. With regard to our education sector, it is within the month of August when many students are very busy preparing for their exams. It is better that we consider these facts and shift the election date. All in all, many aspects of the lives of the people of Kenya will be disrupted. There is also the question of tourists. The month of August is a high season for tourists. When we have the election period at that time, it creates a mood of insecurity, a lot of noise and uncertainty. Having the election date in the month of August will be very disruptive. Within the Constitution, the term of office of the President, Members of the National Assembly, Members of the County Assembly and governors is clearly stated as five years. Five years do not end in August, given the fact that we held our election in March, 2013. Even if the people have highlighted issues to do with a referendum, it is important that we also look at other issues surrounding the election date and then do what is right for the Kenyan people. Let us shift the election date to December. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}