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{
    "id": 1067787,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1067787/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 307,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Gem, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Elisha Odhiambo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13340,
        "legal_name": "Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo",
        "slug": "elisha-ochieng-odhiambo"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for that small interlude. Before I contribute to the Bill, I wish to register special accolades to His Excellency President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga for placing our country on the pedestal of reconciliation and forging a path of ethnic cohesion and national unity. Those two Kenyans placed Kenya first. I also thank the substantive Speaker who offered legal and procedural guidance to the House on the manner in which the Bill would be considered. I also wish to thank the joint committees for their comprehensive Report that has highlighted a majority of pertinent issues arising from the Building Bridges Initiative Bill. Let me delve into the fundamental reasons as to why I and the people of Gem support the Bill. The Bill takes great steps in addressing the underlying problems that have caused divisions in this republic. Those issues are divisive elections, promotion of gender equity in governance, strengthening the structure of devolution and increasing resource allocation to our counties. I wish to remind the Members of this House that the Bill before us is by popular initiative. Therefore, it is a very special amendment. If you want to know the weight and latitude that has been placed upon the Bill, you need to look at the provisions of Article 257(10). It states as follows. “If either House of Parliament fails to pass the Bill, or the Bill relates to a matter mentioned in 255(1), the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the people in a referendum.” What that means is that regardless of whether this House or the Senate supports or opposes the Bill, the Bill will get to the people of the Republic of Kenya. It is up to the people of the Republic of Kenya to say yes or no in the forthcoming referendum. This House should not act in futility by opposing an amendment which the people themselves proposed and will no doubt be part of the referendum vote. I am aware, and I have listened to many of my colleagues who oppose the Bill. Many of those who oppose the Bill will be the beneficiaries in 2022 when the elections are called. They will be the very people who will sit in the cabinet. I ask them to search their souls so that they come to the right frame of mind. Many people who opposed the Constitution 2010 became its benefactors. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Clause 67 of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020, proposes to amend Article 246 of the Constitution on the National Police Service Commission. It proposes a situation where we can harmonise certain functions within the Commission with the function of centrality of command by the Inspector-General of the National Police Service. My heart goes out to one member of my constituency, Mr. Javan, who was murdered last night. If we had an efficient police system, Mr. Javan who was a great footballer in Gem, would not have died."
}