Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1121412,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1121412/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 157,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "The matter that is under inquiry relates to a process that was concluded in July 2019. The first bunch of judges were appointed in June, 2021. That is close to almost two years after their names were forwarded to the President for appointment. This Committee is saying is that it seems that Article 259(8) can be abused. Somebody can say “reasonable time” is one year, two years or whatever. That is why we have made a recommendation that this House considers amending the Judicial Service Act so that a period is prescribed within which the President should appoint judges once a recommendation has been forwarded by the JSC. Madam Temporary Speaker, sometimes events happen and they trigger constitutional amendments or amendments to statutes. I remember the 16th amendment – if I am not wrong – to the Constitution of the United States of America (USA) in 1912 was triggered to allow for direct election of Senators. This arose because of the corruption that was happening within the State Parliament, where business people were buying positions of Senators. Before 1912, the position was that the State Parliament was the one that used to appoint a Senator. That process was abused until the Americans decided to do their 17th amendment and allow for direct elections of Senators. I think even for us, maybe a time has come when we should consider whether we should amend the Judicial Service Act, so that we have a clear timeline. Whether we want to say it is 60 or 90 days or whatever period, this Committee is recommending to the House that the Judicial Service Act should be amended. That way, there will be a prescribed timeline within which the President should take action."
}