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{
    "id": 1440415,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440415/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 240,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Homa Bay Town, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Peter Kaluma",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Bill in question should be rejected by the National Assembly, not because of its substance, but because it is not appropriately positioned. Before the current Marriage Act was established, there were separate marriage laws for Hindu, civil, African Tradition and Customary and Sharia marriages. You then advised us to consolidate those laws into a single Marriage Act to provide a comprehensive reference for marriage in Kenya. It is in the same light that in the 12th Parliament, we decided to consolidate all laws related to children into the current Children Act. I urge Members of the National Assembly not to backtrack on this decision. The Children Act should be our Bible or Quran on all matters affecting the children. This is the ideal position in terms of proper legislation and legal practice across the world. As it is, the Children Act deals with all issues concerning children, and is supported by Article 53 of the Constitution. Having separate laws for child care and protection, children with disabilities, orphans, children in the context of criminal offences and children from various family structures would only create confusion within the legal framework for children. I know the Mover is keenly listening. She should tell the proponent of the Bill in the Senate that we are not rejecting the Bill based on its merits but, rather, to allow for the incorporation of its good provisions and make appropriate amendments to the Children’s Act. We should strive for one comprehensive law that addresses all matters concerning children. I am happy that Hon. Millie has talked about policies which is very important. I wish she was around so that I can also tell her that, just in the same, way we should work collaboratively with the Executive to develop proper Government policy. In a similar situation in the past, the Attorney-General asked Hon. Millie to withdraw her Bill because they were already pursuing a drafted law based on their policy. I will not speak about it because she has gone. On account of the need for a single comprehensive law - a Bible on matters concerning children - let us collapse this Bill. We urge the proponents of this Bill from both houses to come together and select the beneficial provisions so that we do not lose them but, instead, incorporate them as amendments to the Children Act. It is important not to scatter matters concerning children all over the place."
}