HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1037518,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1037518/?format=api",
"text_counter": 259,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Makueni, WDM-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Daniel Maanzo",
"speaker": {
"id": 2197,
"legal_name": "Daniel Kitonga Maanzo",
"slug": "daniel-kitonga-maanzo"
},
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I am very happy to support the approval of Accession to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. When we were at the university, the Banjul Charter, which was the African Charter on Human Rights, was very popular. It was done in Banjul and the Chair has alluded to the fact that now, we are on the 5th Charter. Therefore, there have been a number of charters. They have been very useful to the country bearing in mind that this started in 2007, and bearing in mind the coups which have taken place in some parts of Africa. Being part of the African Union and even having chaired it at one point, it is important to have a general guideline or an agreement between States so that when one State falls short of this, there are issues as to when another State is trying to organise itself. That is why you have seen bodies like the AMISOM going to one country to help quell conflict. In 2007, Kenya was in a real crisis after the elections. That is why now we have come up with the BBI to make sure that, in future elections, there is no need to fight after an election. In fact, the best example which the whole of Africa can take is the election of President Kibaki in 2002. He won the election and the Opposition then was also happy for him. In fact, I remember that time President Uhuru Kenyatta conceded to the election and it sorted out a lot of electoral issues and he took up as the Leader of the Opposition. Life went on and he lived to fight another day and, sure enough, ten years later, he became the President of the Republic of Kenya. Therefore, this is to ensure that after an election... That is why you have heard that this particular Charter is within our own Constitution and many other municipal laws we have that govern the county and national elections so that after an election, there is no likelihood of a fight or strife. Ordinarily, what happens when there is civil war in any country in Africa or in the world is that, women and children suffer most and the economy of the country sinks. Already, the economy of the world is sinking because of COVID-19 and one of the worst things to happen is with all the COVID-19 complications, after an election, a country goes into war. After 2017, Kenya was almost going to war. This side of the House and the other side were very nasty to each other and it was a very uncomfortable position up to the time the handshake happened. If Kenya went like that, I am wondering, with the complications of COVID-19, where we would be today as a nation. I have even heard the President confess that one of the stabilising things that happened to his Government was the handshake. We wish things would be like that in future for many countries in Africa. Things will be like 2002 in Kenya where you win an election and you bring all Kenyans together and you work and take care of all Kenyans. I think President Kibaki will live to be a very good example to many presidents in the continent. I dare challenge members of this House, because I know some of them here will end up being presidents. I think the best role model one could ever have is President Kibaki. The Chair, Hon. Katoo, worked very closely with him. Hon. Katoo, I wish you well and I am sure you learnt well from President Kibaki. I wish many other nations could copy from what President Kibaki did. That is why we are looking into a future where there are discussions for everybody to be carried on board; where everybody’s ideas are important and where we develop the country without discriminating and make sure that every Kenyan is happy. If we do that, I believe from this African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, we are going to have a better Africa and a better world. I thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I beg to support. 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."
}