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"id": 1083754,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Prof.) Jacqueline Oduol",
"speaker": {
"id": 13514,
"legal_name": "Jacquiline Adhiambo Oduol",
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"content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I also support this Bill. I do so agreeing, as has been pointed out, that it is extremely important given the experience that we have had. We, indeed, know that the sovereign power is with the people. We also know that once the people elect leaders, they would like, as much as possible, to have an atmosphere that would enable efficient, effective, and meaningful leadership. This is even as we recognise that there tends to be some differences of opinion that could be difficult to grapple with. As I support this Bill, I am reminded that yesterday, as we looked at the County Governments Bill and even today as we also discussed another Bill, there was opinion expressed that there are times when all we might need to do as we develop Bills is to make reference to the relevant sections on the Constitution. We might not need to repeat it. Hon. Christopher Omulele, while in the Chair, indicated to us this afternoon that we need to remember that it is usually important to repeat. This is the main point that I want to use as a way of indicating my support for this Impeachment Procedures Bill. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have looked at the procedures. As has been mentioned by Hon. Odhiambo-Mabona, if I look at the procedures on removal of a CEC member, that is, the ministers at the county level, listed here are: incompetence, abuse of office, gross misconduct, physical and mental incapacity, gross violation of the Constitution or any other law. In my point of view, it is a bit of a challenge because it would seem to imply that someone can violate the Constitution a little bit. The problematic issue is the gross violation. More important is the ambiguity when we talk about gross violation. We know from what Members have said here and from practice that we have referred to Chapter 6 of our Constitution in a number of Acts. Looking at the points and concerns that have been raised, key concerns have been with regard to corruption, lack of integrity or clearly demonstrated ways that are not acceptable for leaders according to our Constitution. I support this Impeachment Procedure Bill because its objective is very important. It seeks to give us very clear guidelines on the procedures that would need to be followed in the case of impeachment of a Senator or a Member of the County Assembly and any other body or persons that would be responsible. However, as we go to the Committee of the whole House and the Third Reading, it would be useful for us to look at what has been pointed out by other Members. The Bill is giving us clarity or direction in a context where we have experiences. It is my view that we need to bring out what we have learnt from those experiences a lot more clearly and deliberately. For example, we know that we would like to avoid a situation where we would hold hostage governors, as has been indicated, or alternatively a situation where those in leadership such as governors might on the other hand sometimes also go a bit overboard. Therefore, as I support the Bill, I want us to look at what we have seen and look at it from both sides of the coin. We should consider the fact that we want to see justice and also a way in 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."
}