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{
    "id": 1067122,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1067122/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 116,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Machakos Town, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Victor Munyaka",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 86,
        "legal_name": "Victor Kioko Munyaka",
        "slug": "victor-munyaka"
    },
    "content": " At the outset, I would like to thank our JLAC together with the Senate Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for the Report. They did a lot of work. Constitutions are usually made and can be amended anywhere in the world, depending on the circumstances. The most important thing is to ensure that the process of changing the Constitution is fair and inclusive such that there is no discrimination or cases of punishment, especially to the people perceived to be opposing it. This is because at the end of everything this Constitution will be for all of us as Kenyans. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also want to state as an observation which I have noted during the process that apart from intimidation, there is also some schemes of trying to buy support for this particular Bill and especially when it went to the county assemblies where MCAs had to be given goodies so that they can accept. I do not think that is a good precedent as a country to bribe so that people can actually participate in making any law. When it comes to the issues of public participation, when I go to my constituency and many other parts of Kenya, what is disappointing to know is that many members of the public have not even gotten the copies of this Bill. Many do not even know the contents of the Bill and even those who signed were actually mobilised by the administration so that they can just sign without knowing the content. I do not think that is good. We need to be doing proper civic education so that the public is actually carried on board and so that they can know whatever they are signing or whatever they are going to be voting during the referendum. I listened to the ruling by the Speaker. What I am not actually very convinced is the issue of this Parliament not having the opportunity to amend this Bill. The Joint Committee met some public and got 63 submissions and presentations from members of the public. This House is the only House which can deal with those presentations so that, at least, since public participation is part of the popular initiative, their input can be taken onboard. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, when I see what is happening, I remember the 2010 review of the Constitution because I was actually a Member of Parliament at that time and Parliament was used as a rubber stamp. I can remember we had 133 proposed amendments during that time. In fact, I have got the Order Paper for 1st April 2010 and there are 133 proposed amendments. However, what happened because of the pressure from the principals and the civil society outside there was a scheme within Parliament to let every part of the Constitution pass the way it is and then... I think I am finishing very fast. Therefore, what I am saying is that we should be able to use..."
}