HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1375540,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1375540/?format=api",
"text_counter": 408,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Rarieda, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support this Motion of adoption of the Report. In the words of Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the Report may not be perfect, but it is work in progress worth supporting. So, I support it. It is important to note two areas which I think are the most urgent. I will not cover the rest. One, under Article 89(2), the window we were given for re-constitution and re- examination of the boundaries of constituencies expires this month, that is, the eight to 12-year window. It is extremely important that we adopt this Report and then move the necessary constitutional amendments, which I suggest should be the first stand-alone constitutional amendment to extend this period. Perhaps, not so much as to tie to a year but a period. Instead of eight years to 12 years, we could say 10 years to 17 years. This way, we will have resolved the mischief that the Report is trying to resolve without getting into the quagmire we might be in if we try to do this before the next election. Second, is the audit of the 2022 General Election. Most people fear this because they think we will be re-examining and re-visiting the declaration of results of who won and who did not. This is far from it. Article 81(2) of our Constitution is very clear. Every election, not just for the President, must be transparent, accountable, and efficient. Those three words ought to be demonstrated at any time and every Kenyan wants to see how it was done. This will bring settlement not just for the past but for the future, in terms of elections as we move forward. I know that this kind of Report requires goodwill, and for us to move we will require it. I am not quite sure why we have taken four months since 25th November to table this Report. I do not know whether that is consistent with goodwill. However, having been in the first process, I know that we were beleaguered by absence of goodwill at certain stages. I urge that if we are to move forward, there must be goodwill. Contrary to what some people think, this Report is actually not inconsistent with the judgement that was issued by the High Court just a fortnight ago. Indeed, in that judgement, the judge correctly observed that an issue like constitution of the panel is a political question. This should be left to politicians under the political doctrines question. The judge found it necessary to come to that judgement because the process was delaying. Had we started this immediately the Report was out, we would probably have forestalled that kind of decision although nothing is lost because the judge said that this should be done within 90 days. The Report is also recommending that this should be done within 90 days. It is possible for those 90 days to coincide if there is goodwill. If there was goodwill, it is possible for the two principals who initiated the process to have a situation where there is consensus and discussion in terms of the names that will be recommended. That way, when the proposed names of the IEBC Commissioners come here, we will not end up voting and having confrontations as we do sometimes. Having said that, there are areas that will require more careful navigation. This does not mean that we do not adopt the Report. As we adopt it, we will require more careful navigation. First, is whether we require a referendum. My casual glance of the Report suggests that we will in four different areas. Second, is this thing of recommending a Senate of seven years. That will require us to really re-examine a number of things. Third, is the idea of a staggered election. There is a host of reasons why there is a general election on the same day. If we are to interfere with this, we have to navigate very careful. Last is the question of the Leader of Official Opposition and the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. We will have to re-examine our Government structure. This is because the Report does not go that far. It does not say whether these offices are to be in this House and what role they will play. That was left for us. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support with the caution that we need to start thinking more in terms of giving intention to the Report. Thank you very much. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}