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{
    "id": 1493085,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1493085/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 403,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet West, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Timothy Kipchumba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you reflect on the committees in this House, I have information that some of us who voted otherwise are likely to be removed from some committees. I pray that even as you deliberate on those to be removed from committees, you take into account those who have been attending the sessions in this House and contributing to matters that are touching on substantive issues in this House. But be it as it may, I rise to second the Motion. Hon. Temporary Speaker, if you read the Constitution of Kenya 2010 in its entirety, you will appreciate that the words ‘regional’ and ‘ethnicity’ have been used from the Preamble to the very end. The usage of those words is not a mere decoration. While moving the Report, Hon. Yusuf clearly pointed out that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is constituted of majorly one ethnic community. Article 246(4) of the Constitution states that: “(4) The composition of the National Police Service shall reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya.” Read together with Article 130(2) of the Constitution which states that: “(2) The composition of the national executive shall reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya.” Those are fundamental provisions in the Constitution of this Republic. Therefore, as a House, we must sit down and look at this Report in its entirety so that the Members can make decisions for the best interest of regions and ethnic communities in this country. If you read further, Article 250(4) of the Constitution talks about the appointment to commissions and independent offices. It says very clearly that this shall consider the national values and principles. That, the composition of those commissions and offices taken as a whole shall reflect the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya. As we debate this Report, let us look at how we can enforce and make it work so that whatever appears in the Constitution is not a mere decoration. This House must take decisive steps to ensure our public institutions, commissions, legislature and executive are regionally balanced. The issue of ethnicity should be considered so that we can have a fair country. I am very sure that the drafters of the Constitution were not blind. Hon. Millie Odhiambo is one of them. There was a reason why the words ‘regional’ and ‘ethnicity’ were chosen. So, we can have a country that is balanced from Turkana, North Eastern, Nyanza and Mombasa for fair and equal representation of ethnic communities to serve in our Government. It is unfair that certain offices or agencies have almost 70 per cent of their employees from one community. This is a very important issue that this House must deliberate and make decisive actions so that this matter is resolved once and for all."
}