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{
    "id": 1024228,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1024228/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 318,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "One of the principles that I support in this Bill is the issue of constitutionality. Hon. Otiende raised the issue of Article 116 (8) which states that we cannot confer direct pecuniary interest until the next elections. If we can translate this to mean that there is direct pecuniary interest that will be conferred to us, we must find wording that cannot confer direct pecuniary interests now. The primary word is “direct”. We will have to say whether there is direct pecuniary interest. If there is no direct pecuniary interest, it can be passed and be effected immediately. There is also the issue of equality. In the principle of equality, the National Assembly cannot benefit while the Senate is left out. We are all Members of Parliament. We are following the principle of equality in the Constitution. There is also the issue of non-discrimination. I have heard many Kenyans complain whenever we say anything to do with remuneration of Members of Parliament. However, when you look at officers in the Executive that rank equal to us, they earn much more. Assistant Cabinet Secretaries earn more than us. I was one of the people who came up with the Constitution. Assistant Cabinet Secretaries are not supposed to rank at the same level with us. They earn more and are given more because of that position yet we are the ones who work directly with the public. That is why I am never apologetic because at the end of the day, whatever I get in and outside of Parliament goes directly to Suba North. I have no apologies. My time is almost up. I am happy with the harmonisation with the Children Act which provides that a child is one who is 18 years of age and also includes children up to 25 years old. We also need to include former councillors. As I was coming here, Councillor Odiyo who is the Chair of Councillors of Homa Bay told me that he is happy that we have added widows and widowers and have removed the discrimination against unmarried girls. With those few remarks, I support the Bill."
}