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{
    "id": 111429,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/111429/?format=api",
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    "content": "today, it is only the big communities who are better represented than the smaller communities. We need to carry everybody on board. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in 2005, when we went for the Referendum, we were so divided. We went there, some of us, with pain; some of us were fighting because--- The Chapter on land was not well taken care of because we know how much we have suffered where land issues are concerned. As we were going there fighting, we actually put in a precursor for the war we had in the following general elections. We killed each other and, after killing each other, one of the recommendations which came out of the Serena Team under the Chairmanship of Kofi Annan is that the Constitution must be tackled, so that some of these issues can be corrected. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if we do not use this opportunity to correct those inequalities and that unfairness, at what point will we do this? So, I do urge my colleagues that we need to do something about the devolved governments; we need to do something that is going to be useful to our people and, in the process of doing something about devolution, we have to make sure that most of those funds go towards development in all the areas in this country. It will be useless for us to devolve after a cry of wanting to share in the national cake and then, at the end of the day, we will just have so many politicians getting salaries and allowances and nothing will trickle down for development. So, we have to really think on whether these 47 counties must be improved or do we add the marginalized groups? We must do something about it so that most of those funds can end up going towards development. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are some things which are very good in the proposed Constitution. For example, I like the idea of not having a chamber with more than two-thirds--- I like the idea of having at least two-thirds of either gender – I like that idea because that is the only way we can be able to carry our sisters on board. For some of us who have contested in the constituencies, it is a difficult task. Many women have tried and it has not been easy. This is the only time that we have an opportunity for women to be carried on board. Since we want women to be carried on board, we will hear that other voice from the women who will be here and who will be 30 per cent. There will also be 30 per cent in the Senate and I thought the idea of having representation of affirmative action towards this direction is welcome. On the issue of the Kadhis’ Courts, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the current Constitution and even in the proposed Constitution these courts deal only with issues of marriage, divorce and inheritance. We, as Kenyans, cannot talk about reconciliation and loving each other. We, as Kenyans, cannot talk about loving each other because love comes from God who put us here. We will not progress if we keep on fighting over small issues. Why are we not giving the people the truth about issues surrounding the Kadhis’ Courts and the way they are? They are there in the current Constitution. If we are going to go round the country as religious leaders or as hon. Members, telling the people: “We must also demand for our own thing!”What are we doing? If this draft Constitution is rejected, what happens? We will still remain with the current Constitution which still has the Kadhis’ Courts. So, we have to be very, very open and, as political leaders who are lawmakers, we can sit down and pass to the people the right message? Let us not be the ones who are adding fuel into the fire. It is important for Kadhis’ Courts to be taken seriously because they are already there in the Constitution. They have not harmed anybody and even if they continue to be in the new Constitution,"
}