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{
    "id": 110976,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/110976/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Balala",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Tourism",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 9,
        "legal_name": "Najib Mohamed Balala",
        "slug": "najib-balala"
    },
    "content": "direct representation and will reflect the face of Kenya. This is because counties are more and they are meant to address matters affecting the communities on the ground. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us not be cheated. Kenya is a tribal State. It is divided into tribes and communities which we must consider. It is important to say that the Senate has to look at the interests of the communities and the regions so that they can protect them and appreciate the difference. It is important for us to consider a formula that will help us get this representation on board. The other aspect is about financial implication. The proposed draft is talking about 15 per cent of the national Budget. That is too little. I propose that we increase that to 30 per cent. We also need to increase the CDF allocation to Members of Parliament to five per cent. So, a total of 35 per cent of the national Budget will go down to the people vertically. We cannot compromise on these issues because if we want to address the issue of marginalization and lack of development in certain areas, it is important for us to address the issue of devolution in the right perspective so that we do not have a challenge. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know that we have proposed 290 seats in the House of Representatives, which is the National Assembly. We had also set aside 50 seats for the women. We also need to address the issue of women in the Senate. When electing members from each of the 80 counties, we need to consider 20 more nominated members as women to sit in the Senate so that we can address the issue of gender and move forward together as a people. It is also important that I comment on the non-contentious issues. With regard to the issue of the Kadhis Court, it is important that it is there. We are not changing anything. We are talking about what the current Constitution talks about; the Kadhis Court. That is on personal law, inheritance, divorce and marriage. This is specific to people who profess the Islamic faith. The only change we have made is to delete the line that says: “Under the protectorate.” Let us understand the background of “protectorate”. The coastal area was under a protectorate while the rest of Kenya was under colonialism. We merged as one country and so, we need to address this issue as one country. We are not supposed to separate the two. One of the reasons for merging was to have the Kadhis Court. So, the minute we tamper with the Kadhis Court, we will also be tampering with boundaries of the Republic of Kenya and doubting the whole unitary system of Kenya. These are very important issues that we need to address. I believe that with support from both political divides, we should rise above our political interests and look at what is good for this country. I believe there should be dialogue. We need to do away with this issue of political deceit where people come here to discuss matters and at night, you change and hide the cards. We need to table all our cards in this House. We should appreciate that this country has to move forward. The world is moving forward. Why can Kenya not move forward? We have the best human resource in Africa. Why are we still backward so as to be compared to the failed States in Africa? Because of political dishonesty that has taken place and has become a culture in Kenyan politics; we need to change our political behaviour. We need to be honest and deliver a just Constitution for all, and not one for the few. We need to move forward both economically and socially. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise here to support this proposed Constitution with amendments. I believe the right time will come where we will forward the amendments"
}