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{
    "id": 1426913,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426913/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mandago",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13577,
        "legal_name": "Kiplagat Jackson Mandago",
        "slug": "kiplagat-jackson-mandago"
    },
    "content": "has created many security concerns and issues which end up leaving us with devastating relations between counties and communities. Therefore, when these maps are availed to communities, there is opportunity to review and agree in a manner that is going to foster intercommunity relations within that jurisdiction. This will create acceptance and make the work of the Commission easy even as they conclude their report. Madam Temporary Speaker, the other provision for access is that it will be available in Parliament. Parliament is a restricted area, and it is extremely difficult for citizens to access it. Even in our offices in the Bunge Tower, you will realize that the number of security officers might be twice the MPs who have offices there. If you work around Bunge Tower, you might be misconstrued to be part of a unit in our security organs by the virtue of the number of those officers. If this Bill says that the maps will be available in Parliament, then in short, we shall be saying that the Kenyan citizens who want to access these maps will not have the opportunity to. Therefore, I propose that the maps be availed to the counties, constituencies and wards whose boundaries are being delineated so that citizens can access them. There are various organs of Government that can be used to avail this to the public to the lowest unit. The National Government Administration is a state organ that can quickly disseminate information to the lowest level, including the village, coordinated by a village elder. Access to information to Kenyans is a provision in our Constitution. They should not be denied that because we are doing boundary reviews. This Bill is definitely long overdue. As a country, it is regrettable that we had to be in such a state. We hope that since this is a product of both the majority and minority side in Parliament, it will put an end to quarrels happening during elections. The country should not be permanently set to an electoral mood but enable us to move into nation building immediately after elections. I support this Bill with the amendments that we shall propose at the Committee of the Whole. Thank you."
}