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{
    "id": 1063773,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1063773/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 171,
        "legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
        "slug": "george-khaniri"
    },
    "content": "I have seen many good things in this Bill. However, there are other things that, in my opinion, we must be given an opportunity, as Parliament, to make amendments. I have listened to those who support the Bill without amendments and they are quoting Article 257 of the Constitution. I have read it in and out and I do not see anywhere where it bars us from making amendment. Sen. Murkomen read Article 257(8). For clarity, there is nothing that bars us from making amendments and correcting the things that are not right in this Bill so that we send a refined Bill to Kenyans in the referendum. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 257 of the Constitution has 10 sub-articles. The first sub-article states that- “(1) An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by a popular initiative signed by at least one million registered voters” That was done. (2) A popular initiative for an amendment to this Constitution may be in the form of a general suggestion or a formulated draft Bill. (3) If a popular initiative is in the form of a general suggestion, the promoters of that popular initiative shall formulate it into a draft Bill. (4) The promoters of the popular initiative shall deliver the draft Bill and the supporting signatures to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which shall verify that the initiative is supported by at least one million registered voters.” That was done. “(5) If the IEBC is satisfied that the initiative meets the requirements of this Article, the Commission shall submit the draft Bill to each county assembly for consideration within three months after the date it was submitted by the Commission. (6) If the county assembly approves the draft Bill within three months after the date it was submitted by the Commission, the speaker of the county assembly shall deliver a copy of the draft Bill jointly to the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament with a certificate that the county assembly has approved it. (7) If a draft Bill has been approved by a majority of the county assemblies, it shall be introduced in Parliament without delay” That is what you did yesterday, Mr. Speaker, Sir. “(8) A Bill under this Article is passed by Parliament if supported by a majority of the Members of each House” (9)If Parliament passes the Bill, it shall be submitted to the President for assent in accordance with Article 256 (4) and (5)” Mr. Speaker, Sir, where in Article 257 does it state that as a Parliament, we cannot make amendments to this Bill? This is a good document but it has its flaws. Let us be allowed to correct the flaws that are in there which are not many. Senior counsel, Sen. Omogeni, who is a man I believe in, has tabled a report on the same and said that some of the clauses in the Bill are unconstitutional."
}