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{
    "id": 1064205,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1064205/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 315,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "I live in Narok East. Anytime the population reduces in Narok East, I might end up losing Narok East because it is not protected. Therefore, to attempt to say that you are not taking that power away from the IEBC and saying as soon as this Bill has been assented to by the President, you have six months to create these constituencies and disregard what the IEBC said, is not fair. If you read the Report, the IEBC has shared the practicality of setting up these 70 constituencies; that it would not take less than a year. You forget that the same Constitution states clearly that the referendum must be held a year into a general election. We are in May today; I want to see this magic that will come from somewhere, that we will propel the IEBC with budget in this COVID-19 period, for them to be able to go out there albeit illegal, because these are not the views of Kenyans, but a few individuals--- Madam Deputy Speaker, if you look at the letter that was signed by Mr. Chebukati, in his communication, he indicates that the promoters of the Bill are two individuals. One, who is a Member of the National Assembly, hon. Junet Mohamed and, two, is hon. Denis Waweru. These are facts on the Committee Report. There are annexures there and anyone in doubt can refer to them. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am of the opinion that when you discriminate against 19 counties and look at 29 counties and say that you can set up constituencies and name them, you are not only discriminating them and creating a disparity in this country, but also creating a problem that cannot be solved easily politically. Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to end that point by stating as follows. It is quite evident that issues of constituencies and boundaries are very emotive. They are things that need people to be consulted and convinced of the need to be able to set up and alter boundaries to create new constituencies and wards. That is why the framers of the current Constitution took their time. By the time we got the Constitution 2010, I dare say, the process we took was very painful. Kenyans assembled at the Bomas of Kenya and gave their views. Even though that draft did not end up being the Constitution, the final Constitution took into consideration what Kenyans all over had in mind. Madam Deputy Speaker, the promoter of the Bill are two individuals who are noted here. They ought to really think and ask a few questions. Are we amending the Constitution for short gains or are we doing so for posterity? Madam Deputy Speaker, my third point is the issue of revenue that we fought so hard in this Senate and which led to the arrest of our colleagues. The promoters of this Bill were defeated in this House, but they have found a way of introducing an amendment to Article 203. We fought heavily against the issue of per capita, but they have now found a way to reintroduce it by coming up with an amendment to Article 203 and cap how"
}