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{
"id": 1491043,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1491043/?format=api",
"text_counter": 160,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "assemblies by ensuring that at least 5 per cent of Members of a County Assembly (MCAs) are PWDs. This is geared towards addressing the historical exclusion of PWDs from decision-making processes by ensuring adequate representation of us in local governments, that is, county governments, thereby ensuring that our voices are heard and our interests and needs are taken into account in decision-making across all the 47 counties. Article 177 of the Constitution provides for the composition of a county assembly, as we know. Specifically, Article 177(1)(c) provides that a county assembly shall include members representing marginalised groups, including PWDs and the youth, as well as marginalised groups, as prescribed by the Act of Parliament. With a view of implementing Article 177(1)(c) of the Constitution, Parliament has enacted two laws since then; the County Governments Act and the Elections Act, that prescribe the number of members to represent marginalised groups, as well as PWDs and the youth in our county assemblies. Whereas Section 7(1)(a) of the County Governments Act provides for six seats for marginalised groups, Sections 36(1)(f) and 36(8) of the Elections Act provide for only four seats. This is where the discrepancy or confusion lies that I wish my amendment Bill proposal to remedy. Mr. Speaker, Sir, last week when I was moving the Bill, I gave the House a list of County Assemblies that right now have zero representation of PWDs and I wish to go through that list for the sake of Members once again. The counties which did not nominate members to represent PWDs in the last election include, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Makueni, Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Laikipia, Narok, Kericho, Nyamira and the capital city of Nairobi. I hope that the Senate Majority Leader is listening because his county, Kericho, is on this list as having no PWDs in the County Assembly. The counties which did not nominate members to represent the youth include, Machakos, Makueni, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nandi and Kisii. Counties which did not nominate any Members to represent other marginalized groups include Garissa, Murang’a, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Narok, Kakamega and Kisii. You will find that from these three lists, there are some counties which have no representation for the two out of the three marginalized groups that they should have representation for, including counties like Kisii and Kakamega, which have two groups that are missing in their county assemblies. This then creates a huge gap in terms of representation and for our needs at the county level to be represented and looked into by the assemblies. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in light of the considerations I have outlined as a quick background, I will then highlight the salient features of this Bill. It has three clauses. Clause 2 seeks to amend Section 36 of the Elections Act to provide that: (a) Political parties will be required to submit a list that includes two candidates representing the youth, two candidates representing marginalized groups and two candidates with disabilities; reflecting the diversity of persons with disabilities in our wards across the respective counties. 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."
}