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"id": 1064900,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1064900/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Suba South, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
"speaker": {
"id": 110,
"legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
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"content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Indeed, this is a historical moment. This is the first time that this country is facing the most realistic opportunity to implement the first amendment to our 2010 Constitution through a popular initiative. When some of these provisions were put in the Constitution, we never knew that they would be put to practice. I am seeing that we are likely to actualise and implement Article 257 of the Constitution. Hon. Speaker, while seconding this Motion, allow me to, first, highlight the journey that we have taken so far. As the saying goes, a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without its roots. Hon. Members will recall that sometime in March 2018, I actually stood on the Floor of this House to move a Motion on the BBI to a new Kenyan nation in support of the unity pact that had been cemented on Friday, 9th March 2018 between our leader, His Excellency Raila Odinga and His Excellency President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. This extraordinary opportunity enabled Kenyans to face and address the challenges that have been facing Kenya and openly and honestly discuss successes and failures and, finally, formulate the necessary corrective measures for the country to move forward. This Bill, therefore, that we shall be debating from today, is actually a culmination of this process. In an effort aimed at sparing succeeding generations of Kenyans the scourge of the dilapidating, sickly electoral violence and forging national cohesion, His Excellency the President and the Right Honourable Raila Odinga, who were the foremost protagonists in the 2017 presidential elections, surprised all of us by unveiling the now famous Handshake on 9th March 2018. It is refreshing to note that there are issues they wanted to be addressed that have continued to occupy the minds of Kenyans from that time to date and which are being addressed through this process of BBI to a new Kenyan nation. They include, but are not limited to, the nine thematic agenda items which I will go through. One is ethnic antagonism and competition, the other one is lack of national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, divisive election, safety and security, off course my pet topic of corruption, shared prosperity and, finally, the responsibilities and rights of Kenyans. Hon. Speaker, the above issues were identified on the premise that we end tribalism in this country, we end corruption, we end impunity and electoral fraud, and we end nepotism and politically motivated development and employment. I want to clarify that politically motivated development and employment had taken, and has continued to take root in this country. There is a point in time that we came up with the saying that siasa mbaya maisha mbaya, which simply meant that if you were not pushing and supporting a particular political agenda, then you are not supposed to be entitled to development and your area was supposed to be excluded from development. If these things are addressed, then it is expected that the glass ceiling will be broken for all Kenyans to realise their fullest potential, especially the historically marginalised, namely: women, youth, persons with disabilities, minorities which include the coastal people, the Suba people on the shores of Lake Victoria, the pastoralists majority of whom are in northern Kenya and the expansive Maasailand, the Samburu, the Pokot, and other vulnerable groups like the Ogiek, the Elchamus and others will have a say in this country and should feel included in matters of national 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."
}