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{
    "id": 1426779,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426779/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 70,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.10 of 2024) be now read a Second Time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill was first published on the 4th March, 2024 vide a gazette notice No.46 dated 2nd May, 2024. On the 2nd May, 2024 our colleagues in the National Assembly passed this Bill and referred it to the Senate for its consideration. The principal object is to amend the IEBC Act to redefine key terms, expand qualifications criteria for some of the positions, streamline vacancy management. It also seeks to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the electoral process and to make sure that the Commission appoints a more inclusive and transparent way, while ensuring continuity and stability within its administrative structure. I will be quick to mention that this is one of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Bills as they have been referred to. It is part of the Bills that we generated out of the National Dialogue Committee that Members of this august House, along with yours truly, had the opportunity to serve in. Our colleagues in the National Assembly begun working on it. They have since concluded consideration and have referred it back to us as a House, so that we may do what is expected of us. I beg that they indulge us so that we process this expeditiously, though with a lot of keenness given that it is an important Bill. I say this because there is already litigation before the courts of law on this matter. As you are aware, there are about 15 wards in the Republic of Kenya that up to date do not have Members of County Assembly (MCAs) for more than a year. Banissa Constituency in Wajir or Mandera County has equally stayed a whole year without a Member of Parliament (MP). As Members may be aware, for more than a year after the National Assembly considered a Petition for the removal of the four IEBC commissioners and the retirement of the other three, IEBC has been un-constituted and, therefore, unable to conduct its operations. Even as we were considering this matter before the NADCO, citizens from those wards and that specific constituency moved to court. The court has since made pronouncement to the IEBC Selection Panel. Remember, there is a selection panel as well that is supposed to select the commissioners and nominate their names for their appointment. They have been doing this work. 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."
}