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{
    "id": 716395,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/716395/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kembi-Gitura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 242,
        "legal_name": "James Kembi Gitura",
        "slug": "kembi-gitura"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to thank you for this opportunity. This is an important Bill that we are debating. I want to start by thanking you, like Sen. Orengo, and thanking the House for having given this House the opportunity not just to have public participation but also to have two joint committees of this House sitting together and considering this important issue. Mr. Speaker, Sir, right from the outset, let me start by saying – because I am a Member of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee – that in our public hearings, we listened to 54 oral submissions including memoranda that were given to us. We listened to these memoranda carefully and faithfully. Indeed, the last person to give his oral presentation on this matter was no less than the distinguished Senator for Siaya County, Sen. Orengo. He was the last person to give his words on the public participation. I am going to quote to some length about what he said at the public participation. Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me from the outset start by referring to the Constitution itself at Article 86. It is the root law for voting. Article 86 says that at every election, the IEBC shall ensure that whatever voting method is used, the system is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent. Those are the key words in Article 86. At Article 86 (b) – so that we can disabuse the notion that we have an electronic voting system in Kenya – it says the votes cast are counted, tabulated and the results announced promptly by the presiding officer at each polling station. I want to submit that those are extremely important words in the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at section 44 which is the real subject of this debate – I am going to address myself to section 44 and 44 (a) as amended – section 44 is important because if you have to read it against Article 86 of the Constitution, then you will see where we are coming from in dealing with section 44 (a) as proposed to be amended. Section 44 (a) says that subject to this section, there is established an integrated electoral system which enables biometric voter registration, electronic voter identification and electronic transmission of results. Section 44 (b) is important because it says the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}