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{
    "id": 1029876,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1029876/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 276,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyando, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Jared Okelo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13457,
        "legal_name": "Jared Odoyo Okelo",
        "slug": "jared-odoyo-okelo-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for the opportunity to delve into this matter that seeks to establish database centers in all civil registration centers in the country. It is a good coincidence that it is coming at a time when we are shopping for a data commissioner. This afternoon, this House will be debating the suitability of the President’s nominee for this position. This is a matter that we all ought to support because it seeks to address the gaps that exist in registration of our young people and, particularly, across this nation. Identification documents ought to be a matter of right. This idea of stratifying the nation that there are places where accessibility is easier than the rest, should be confined to the history books so that we can treat this country as one and the people have access to these most vital documents as and when they need them. Even as we do this, we must employ absolute caution because these documents are susceptible to abuse and manipulation. We have seen in this country foreigners taking full advantage of any gap that exists in registration. We have seen an influx of foreigners into this country who use backdoors to be registered and get our passports even when Kenyans do not have such latitude. The data commissioner who will be assuming her office in due course, if this House will be in agreement with the President, must make sure that there are very strong firewalls that will prevent any misuse or abuse of these documents that are very critical to the welfare of our country. We must amalgamate the documents that we have. That is what Huduma Namba sought to cure. I have seen in many instances where, if you lose your ID and you present yourself before the registration officer, the first question they will ask you is a copy of the same ID that you are seeking to replace. If we shall have these registration centers with an amalgamated system where all documents belonging to every individual Kenyan shall be kept, then this taking people round in circles would be a thing of the past. There are certain instances when people lose their certificates, for example, the Kenya National Examination Certificates, and you apply for a photocopy or a duplicate copy or to access any other copy, the question that is common is, “show us another copy that you already have so that we can process,” yet these are documents that are right there with them. In this digital era, we must ensure that everything is kept in one basket and at the same time have all these centers closer to the people because every Kenyan pays taxes in order for services to be availed to them. I support this Motion. Taking a tangent from my colleagues, this is something that we needed to midwife as a Bill and have it passed to become an Act of this House. Therefore, it becomes a duty of the Government to ensure that all these centers are availed at the doorsteps of every Kenyan. Thank you. 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."
}