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{
    "id": 1209649,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1209649/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13589,
        "legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
        "slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you giving me an opportunity to contribute to this important piece of legislation. You realize that what is being amended is different. Initially, the provision provided for the appointment of two men and two women nominated by the Parliamentary Service Commission; one person nominated by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), two persons nominated by the Interreligious Council of Kenya. The composition of the Selection Panel has been expanded and improved to what we now have as an amendment. The IEBC is a very important Commission in Kenya. The Bill we are considering today is meant to amend the Selection Panel that will eventually get the commissioners to serve in the IEBC. If the selection is biased from the beginning, it is likely to be biased all the way. There should be a lot of checks and balances from the selection to the matter coming before Parliament and then proceeding back for the appointments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when an electoral commission for whatever reasons is seen to be biased, it is likely to affect the stability of the nation. For example, recent allegations has it that the outgoing Chairman of the IEBC was to be assassinated. If that was to happen in the future, it would mean that there would be no one to announce the results. Therefore, having these amendments under our Committee to improve what the National Assembly did; it means that the matter must now proceed for mediation in one way or another. We should legislate for posterity for the laws to be used many years to come. We should not legislate for purposes of the current Government. Sometimes, we may make legislation thinking it is for us only for a new person or Government to benefit from that legislation and that has happened before. It happened while making the Constitution and some people wanted it tailor made for them only to realise that it was against them the next day. We, therefore, must be seen to be fair. I believe that all these appointments can be skewed. The people who will be dealing with this need higher moral authority for us not to have interference from the State or any other part. On religious representation, we should have a Christian and a Muslim for us to have balanced shades of opinion in the country. There is something positive about the Public Service Commission (PSC). That is because it is the one that gives guidelines on the quality of people that we want to work for the people of Kenya. Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) is critical because it represents us; the two Houses. I believe that these amendments can be made better and I know that we mean well for the nation. Nothing closes further amendments at this stage. I support the amendments"
}