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{
    "id": 1065953,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1065953/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 173,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "Kenya where not a single constituency, especially in upper Eastern has been given. It has been said and is a known fact, North Horr, for instance, which is the largest constituency in our country, has had no additional constituency. To purport that Kenya is just a function of its people and not its borders or land, is an under-statement and to run away from the truth. Madam Deputy Speaker, it has been said that North Horr can accommodate Western, Central Kenya and other provinces, but it did not get a constituency. That having been said, Isiolo County for instance, with its vast expanse of land has not gotten any. Can we look at other innovative ways at the sub-county to ensure that resources and services are taken to the lowest level of the frontline of service delivery to the people? It was also mentioned that the sunset clauses are too close for women. The women of this country are not looking for affirmative action in perpetuity. We are not asking for affirmative action to the end of the world. We are asking that the environment in which we play, work and live is made level for us. We are not asking for tokens for the rest of our lives. If BBI is the one thing that will level the field for us, it is what we will go for. However, to patronize us and say that we are clapping, laughing and dancing for something that has been taken away from us, is to miss the point. This is because the women of this country are some of the smartest people. They carry this country on their backs and are a majority in the country. We should not pretend that we need to be given certain projects and programmes that are sidelines. We must be mainstreamed. That is why I welcome women to come to the Senate. It has been said that the position of the women representatives has money. What money is Kshs8 million to buy tents and such things? I do not consider that empowerment. However, if a woman can come here and vote for billions of shillings to go to our counties, that is empowerment. That is where the work is and where we should be serving the people. In fact, there is nowhere this Constitution says that the role of a woman or legislator is to buy tents or build roads. Our role is to make laws and policies that will follow our resources. Those resources will be used at the devolved and national levels in accordance with those laws so that we mainstream. To give us little amounts as tokens that are not mainstreamed and are on the sidelines so that we can buy ourselves a few water bottles and carry them on our backs is not empowerment. It is keeping us out of the mainstream and in the periphery as women and youth. Madam Deputy Speaker, I, therefore, reject the notion that we should continue to be relegated to affirmative resources and positions in perpetuity, forever. We should be streamlined. Part of coming on equal terms to the Senate is a good starting point for the women of this country. Madam Deputy Speaker, I have looked at, read and re read this Bill. This Bill seeks to expand the criteria on many of the provisions. It seeks to add and not subtract. I can go on, clause by clause, which I will not do, but will just skim through."
}