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"content": "Constitutions all over the world have been there to defend or take into consideration the interests of the marginalized communities. This is not done in isolation because it takes into account interests of all the people and safeguards particularly, those groups of ânationsâ who are affected or marginalized. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have a particular chapter in mind. This is the chapter on representation. The Committee of Experts (CoE), the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) Members had very good intentions when they tackled this chapter on representation. They wanted to consider, fairly, representation of all Kenyans regardless of where they come from; region; geographical locations and so on. In so doing, they talked about some formula in the Constitution. This formula attempted to address the problems that we have been having. However, if you look at it carefully, you will find that it further marginalises the areas which are sparsely populated. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when you apply the formula strictly, then you realise that those regions do not benefit at all. I will support any kind of amendment to change that kind of formula in the Constitution in order to make it better and to add value. I am personally going to initiate the introduction of that amendment and thanks to all the hon. Members who attended the Kabete retreat both from the PNU and the ODM and agreed to this position. At least, we have developed consensus on this and for that, I want to say, thank you very much. It is not unique only to this country. In Canada, the peopleâs Constitution has a formula for this Chapter to safeguard the interests of everybody. Two regions were specifically exempted from the application of that formula because those two regions would have been seriously disadvantaged. In India currently, where the Speaker of the National Assembly comes from, they have 2.5 million people in that constituency. In the same country, we have areas which have populations of as low as 35,000 people. This is clearly recognised in that country. So this notion that people must have populations as near as possible, will disadvantage some regions and that must be addressed. If you say let us have equal or nearly equal populations, are the living conditions almost the same? When you talk of those arid and semi arid lands, we do not have health centres or health facilities like all the others; people travel over 70 kilometres to reach a dispensary. By the time that mother who was to deliver reaches there, either the child or herself will be pronounced dead. Some research showed that out of 1,000 babies born in other parts of the country, only 3 pass away while in arid and semi arid areas, out of the same number of babies born, a whole 300 of them pass away. How then do you compare the two? There is a whole world of difference. We do not have road networks, communication is impossible because of these difficulties. I want to say that that chapter on representation be amended. I hope all the Members will support it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the devolved Government, I support a situation where resources trickle down to the grassroots effectively. If we can increase the 47 counties, that would be better. They made a good effort but that was not enough. Historical formula must be considered. At independence â let me use my region because I understand it best â in 1963, we had six Senators from Upper Eastern Province and in their wisdom, even though we were sparsely populated, Moyale, Marsabit and Isiolo each got one Senator out of the six."
}