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{
    "id": 1089686,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1089686/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 271,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This Bill is very important. There is an issue that Sen. Kibiru is bringing on the Floor of this House that needs a lot of interrogation and eventually implementation. When there is a vacancy among commissioners, not just for the SRC, but also for other commissions, this vacancy should be published in the Kenya Gazette because it is a valid instrument that can be supported in a court of law. The Kenya Gazette is a permanent instrument which informs and is authentic. When this information is in the Kenya Gazette, that is when other procedures can follow. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am happy that the Bill says that when it comes to filling this vacancy, it should be in the Kenya Gazette within 28 days of the vacancy arising. It is very clear on when a vacancy can arise. It can arise if a commissioner dies, resigns, or if he or she does not comply with Article Six of the Constitution. When such a vacancy arises, the process should be transparent. It should be published in the KenyaGazette that a vacancy has come up. There must also be a timeframe within which a commissioner should be replaced. It should not just be that a vacancy is there and a timeline is not given. When a vacancy arises, it should be filled as fast as possible so that there is no lacuna when it comes to executing duties. Commissioners have duties that they are assigned. Therefore, we must have the appropriate number to constitute who can delegate duties as required by the law. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I mentioned that the catalyst of beginning the nomination process, the Kenya Gazette, is important. Once the catalyst is there, the procedure can go on. The names are then given in the National Assembly, and then they are gazetted by the President then the appointments are done. Even as we talk about appointment of commissioners, we must adhere to the principles that are very important. We must adhere to the two-thirds gender rule. This is so that every gender is represented. We must also adhere to the principle of equity. I want to see a situation where we even have a deserving Person with Disabilities (PwDs) as a commissioner. That is the equity that we are talking about. PwDs should be mainstreamed. We need to have a situation where deserving PwDs who have papers and have been interviewed and shortlisted are appointed by the President to be in the Commission. That is where the entire world is headed, mainstreaming PwDs. Kenya is among the signatories that signed all the laws that deal with disability rights. It will be a good thing to ensure that the principle of equity is adhered to. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, apart from the principle of equity, we must also adhere to the principle of regional balance. The Commission should have the face of Kenya. When people look at the commissioners, they should see that Kenya is fully represented. I support this Bill and hope that it will see the light of day and is effected so that there is no gap when it comes to commissioners. I am not only talking about the SRC, but about all commissioners. Where there is a gap after a commissioner has exited, let it be filed very fast. It should be procedural and done in a consistent manner so that commissioners from different organizations are filled in the same way."
}