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{
    "id": 1426683,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426683/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 385,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will be very brief in supporting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.10 of 2024) for some reasons. The question of delimitation of boundaries under Article 89 (5) of the Constitution, is governed by timeframes. There is no doubt that it is time that a boundary review be undertaken in this country so that the 290 Constituencies and the Wards we have in the country can be reviewed for new boundaries to be set. All boundaries at the focal point of devolution define matters of employment for the population and allocation of monies for purposes of budget. Therefore, it is a crucial function that must be undertaken. Secondly, wards are important for the functioning of counties. In my own Kisumu County, we have 35 Wards and many of those wards should be up for review. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to address another question of the 35 Wards, some Wards are like constituencies. For instance, the North Nyakach Ward should be a constituency. I believe the boundaries review process that will invite views, will find that some of these wards need to be divided so that we have more wards. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to address my County, Kisumu. We have constituencies that need to be split into further constituencies. Kanyagwal Constituency has not been formally made into a constituency because of the need for this process. That is why I am supporting this process. Kisumu East Constituency has a population that can be split into two constituencies. Kisumu Central Constituency has over 200,000 voters and it also needs to be split into a second constituency. The framework under Article 89(5), (6) and (7) of the Constitution is timeous and should be exercised as the Constitution defines. On the question of the inclusive panel proposed by the increment of the panel from seven to nine, I support the finding of the increment as set out in the NADCO report. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the representation of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is key in this panel because I know as the Chair of JLAC, you have spoken to it. We need the LSK to be incorporated in this panel so that they represent the legal question beyond the political, in the selection process of the commission. I am sure that the IEBC should be able to deliver so that in every five-year cycle, we do not review or amend the IEBC Act. All amendments to the IEBC Act should be amendments that have longevity and that go beyond the momentary interests of politicians serving in a parliamentary cycle in five years. That is why I support some of these amendments because they give life to the democratization of IEBC. The choice of a secretary for a renewable term of four years speaks to an IEBC that can deliver and one that does not hold elections. After holding elections, we have a month or two of maandamano . We do not want to see that happening again in this country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as the Senate supports these amendments and seconds what the National Assembly has done, they should be undertaken without a The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}