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{
    "id": 1045659,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1045659/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 122,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "participation is very integral and we placed it at the core of our Constitution. However, when amendment to the Constitution is being done through popular initiative, people have taken steps to collect and convince Kenyans in whichever way and managed to collect one million signatures and above. I do not see why we should spend taxpayers’ money to engage, especially Parliament which may not have much say, whether to reject or support. Our work is basically like a conveyor belt. Why would we spend so much money in conducting public participation on a Bill that is being promoted through popular initiative? It will end up with the people of Kenya. If they do not want it, it is upon the promoters and those who will be rejecting the Bill to campaign and convince the people of this country that the Bill is either good or bad and the people will take a decision. So, to me, when it is popular initiative, we need to reduce the value that we attach to public participation, because it assumed there is already public participation. For you to collect signatures from me, it is assumed that you have convinced me in some way. You have already explained yourself to me. I do not know how Punguza Mzigo Initiative is explained because I never saw any engagement. Somehow, they managed to collect a million signatures. The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) managed to collect signatures. There are some who did not want to read. They said whether it is through chiefs, askari kanga or fishermen, it is Kenyans who collected the signatures. I am the one who led the signature collection in my constituency. I did not have to explain. The people said: “Mbadi, we believe what you are telling us because that is why we elected you, we will sign for you.” They do not need these public participations again. Calling my constituents to explain to them this Bill is a waste of time. If I want them to vote for the Bill, I will ask them during the campaigns. I want to request that Parliament should not spend money again going to the people to explain a Bill which they appended their signatures on already. I support this Bill. I ask the Committee to look at the few amendments which, probably, have not been captured in their Report. I thank you. I support."
}