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{
    "id": 1037561,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1037561/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 302,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Joyce Emanikor",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1092,
        "legal_name": "Joyce Akai Emanikor",
        "slug": "joyce-akai-emanikor"
    },
    "content": "(Turkana CW), JP): Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. At the outset, because we are talking of the African Continent, I would like to congratulate Hon. Dennitah Ghati for her election as the African Representative to the Commonwealth to represent people with disabilities. Back to the Motion, I support the ratification of the Sixth African Charter, which is on democracy, elections and good governance. Thirteen years down the line, it is long overdue. Kenya already signed, but we need to ratify it as Parliament. I will be very brief because most of the issues I wanted to touch on have been dealt with by my colleagues. One is on objective No.11 in Article 2, which talks of promotion of gender balance and equality in governance and development processes. This is also emphasised in Chapter 4, which deals with democracy, rule of law and human rights. Article 8 of that Chapter says that no state shall discriminate on any basis including gender, ethnic, religious and racial among others. That is self-explanatory. We fight for gender equality and gender balance because it is a human rights issue. In order for us to achieve holistic development, we must involve all sectors of our communities equally. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the fifth objective in Article 2 talks of promoting and protecting the independence of the Judiciary. The independence here means freedom from improper influence of other branches of government, and freedom from partisan interests. In essence, it is about separation of powers. Judicial independence is a safeguard for the rights and privileges as enshrined in our Constitution. It prevents the Executive and the Legislature from encroaching on these rights. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, because many people have linked this Charter to the BBI, and we have no objection to the BBI, the independence of the Judiciary is very important. Stalking or micromanaging the Judiciary through an ombudsman will be against global norms, as even required in this Charter. With those few remarks, I urge that we ratify this Charter. Thank you."
}