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{
    "id": 1406267,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406267/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 193,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Emuhaya, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Omboko Milemba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "constituency boundaries within a period of eight to 12 years. We could not do that because we did not have the IEBC commissioners. That will now be solved. That will be a reprieve for many Kenyans, and more so those constituencies that are suffering under the fear that they were possibly protected and are likely to lose their places if this process is not undertaken. That is why I support this Bill. This is a very good process which will deal with the matter of delimitation of boundaries and constituencies. There is the issue of the Chairperson of the Commission, which this Bill has been very particular on. I support the Bill in totality because the drama we saw during the last election should never be repeated in this country. The Bill is adopting the High Court ruling in the case of Katiba Institute & 3 others v Attorney General & 2 others (2018). There was a law which described the Chairperson of the IEBC to include the vice-chairperson and any other commissioner who may appear in the event that the chairperson is not present. That was very dangerous for any election process. It exposed this country and the election process to a situation whereby one can even kidnap the chairperson and bring in another person who can then announce what he or she wants as the results of that election. Furthermore, it also showed that we could even remove the vice-chairperson and any other commissioner could then appear and announce the results. This Bill has hailed that ruling and properly defined the chairperson as being the chairperson and not any other person, including the vice-chairperson. No one can take the place of the chairperson, including the vice-chairperson or any other commissioner who purports that he or she can also be the chairperson. Kenyans chose one person as the chairperson of the Commission for a reason. The trust, rigorous interviews and aspects of training that were required of the chairperson were not the same as those that were required of the vice-chairperson. This will bring an end to the drama we saw in this country during the last election with Commissioner Cherera and the rest. This is a good Bill. That is why I keep saying that the election process must continuously be changed and reviewed so that it gets better with the hope of attaining the infinity of perfection. Hon. Temporary Speaker, there is also the issue of additional members of the IEBC. The Bill proposes two additional commissioners so that we move from seven to nine commissioners. This is also very good because it increases the space and leverage of operation of the Commission. It also brings to bear more minds and technical people who can assist. The Bill has gone ahead to indicate the specific areas that require more assistance. These are ICT and accounting. How often do we hear that electoral materials have not been procured because of one reason or another? We saw the gaps we had in the ICT section which remain one of the most disturbing issues in the election processes. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as I conclude, I thank you for giving me this chance to contribute. Given that my time is over, I support the Bill."
}