Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1406352,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406352/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 278,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Runyenjes, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Muchangi Karemba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for the opportunity to contribute to this amendment Bill. I wish to start by thanking the Committee for a job well done. This proposal to amend the IEBC law resulted from many deliberations at the Bomas of Kenya. The fact that they came to the House for the enactment of a law means that they did not waste taxpayers’ money. For that reason, we really want to thank them. The proposed law seeks to expand the selection panel from seven to nine. This is welcome as it gives space for the inclusion of other interested groups. You note that our country has many interest groups. Expanding this selection panel from seven to nine is a welcome idea for us to be more inclusive. This will ensure that people feel accommodated in the body that is going to select the commissioners. Hon. Temporary Speaker, for us to avoid the crisis that we are already in, we need to ensure that IEBC is in place. The people of Kenya have a right to representation. We have constituencies and wards that are not represented properly in the House and County Assemblies. The reason is that we do not have a properly constituted IEBC. It is not okay for us to continue in this situation. It is urgent that we ensure that we have IEBC in place so as to be in a position to give those not properly represented an opportunity to elect their leaders. It is their leaders who are supposed to serve and represent them in their respective Houses. Either in the National Assembly, Senate or County Assemblies. It is not okay when we are in such a situation. There is a proposal in this Bill that speaks to the issue of delimitation of boundaries. Hon. Temporary Speaker, IEBC is not in a position to carry out this mandate. I need to mention that my constituency is eagerly waiting for the formation of IEBC. There is some work to do. I happen to represent a constituency that falls into three sub-counties, namely, Embu East, Embu West and Embu North. My observation is that my people who come from Embu West and North really suffer. Politically, they are in the Runyenjes Constituency, but administratively, they are in another constituency. We believe that there is a job for IEBC to do in my constituency. That is why it is very urgent to ensure that IEBC is properly constituted so that they can come down to my constituency and help us get probably a new constituency that will ensure our people are fairly represented. Runyenjes Constituency right now has a population of over 100,000 voters. We feel that we stand a chance of getting an extra constituency. This means better representation and more resources coming to our constituency and county. On the issue of the secretary to the Commission, I have reservations about a term of three years renewable once. I have interacted with many politicians, including in this House. 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"
}