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{
    "id": 1064885,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1064885/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 245,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Amos Kimunya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": "and increase resource allocation to the counties by strengthening the amount available for devolution. Hon. Speaker, the other issue is to broaden the mechanisms for all people of Kenya to benefit from economic growth, harmonise certain roles and functions of bicameral legislature, to fortify national ethos by specifying the responsibility of citizens, to strengthen accountability of public resources and the fight against corruption. Hon. Speaker, the proposed constitutional reforms originate from views of citizens expressed through the (BBI. Through the BBI, citizens from all corners of the country share their concerns and views on issues ranging from responsibilities and rights, national ethos and indeed, all the nine agenda items. This Bill which comprises of 74 clauses addresses each of these issues and those that are not addressed within the Bill are addressed within the 12 pieces of legislation that are proposed. There are several policy and administrative measures that are proposed. The totality of that will then sort out these problems into the long-term. If I then delve specifically in the matters within the Bill, I have chosen to focus on five key issues which in my opinion were the main focus of the proponents of BBI in line with aspirations of over three million Kenyans who appended their signatures in support of BBI and subsequently, affirmed which was approved by another 43 county assemblies, one abstention and three negatives. Further, the public participated heavily when our Committee called for public participation and the Chairperson of the Committee will be giving us that issue. I want to concentrate on five key issues: The need to resolve issues of divisive elections that include harmonisation of certain roles and functions of the bicameral Parliament; promotion of gender equity in governance; strengthening of the structure of devolution; strengthening of accountability of public resources and our future, the youth. As a matter of national, regional and international notoriety, Kenya has experienced election violence during general elections held in the years of 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2017. The violence that followed the 2007 elections much of which was related to ethnic tensions was serious enough that it led to international mediation and accommodation through a coalition government which ultimately built crucial support for adoption of a new Constitution which was approved in a referendum in 2010. A similar effort had failed in 2005 mainly due to mistrust. The 2010 Constitution established a presidential republic in which sovereignty is exercised by the people directly or through their democratically elected representatives. The 2010 Constitution also made a number of key changes. It created a decentralised system. It also limited presidential powers that every appointment needed to come to the House to be approved and hitherto there was no such thing. It also established devolution in the 47 counties, which replaced the 46 districts plus the capital. There is also the issue of oversight over branches and levels of government through independent commissions and a more robust chapter on the Bill of rights. This Constitution also highlighted the sovereign power of the people within Article 1 which was not hitherto highlighted. More importantly, it also gave the people, after 20 years of agitating for change of their Constitution... You all know about the saba saba movements, the teargas in the streets and so on. People went to Bomas of Kenya after Ufungamano and all those issues. Those who were politically active before 2000 you know the struggle that Kenyans went through in an effort to change the Constitution. Therefore, the 2010 Constitution said Kenyans would never again have to fight in the streets to change their Constitution. All they would need is use a legal route, which was then prescribed within Article 257, also known as ' the popular initiative'. If Parliament or the 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."
}