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{
    "id": 1502244,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502244/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 161,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "country, we can report today that there is relative peace in Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince which is the capital city. That is part of our obligation. Like the President mentioned, there are mediations and negotiations for different warring groups in Sudan and Southern Sudan. There have been concerted efforts by the Head of State and several actors to see that there is peace within our region. This stamps Kenya's place as an anchor of security within the region. On the ratification of treaties in our Constitution— particularly on Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa's Agenda of 2063 and our engagement internationally— the President reported that we, as a country, are proud to host several United Nations (UN) bodies in this country. We have the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat. This makes Kenya and our capital City, Nairobi, a hub of multilateral diplomacy. On the issue of diplomacy, Kenya continues to have its footprints globally. Today, Kenya hosts 109 embassies and high commissions in Nairobi, alongside 60 UN agencies and 78 international organisations. Hosting all of them is no mean feat. Remember the President mentioned that outside Washington, Kenya hosts a large part of the United Nations bodies in the country which really stamps our authority in diplomacy. Regarding tackling of climate change, last year, during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Kenya championed ambitious energy transition goals which cemented our role further. As a global climate leader, Kenya has aligned these commitments with initiatives such as 200,000 affordable housing units annually under the UN-Habitat. While we have made significant and several treaties that await ratification, we have too many that still await ratification like the Convention on Cluster Munitions which seeks to eliminate harm caused by weapons. Kenya is also in the process of ratifying the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance which is extremely important. You recall that during the demonstrations by the Generation Z, a lot of accusations were made about the disappearances of people, who either had participated in the demonstrations or perceived to have led the demonstrations. Going forward, the President mentioned that it will not be business as usual. As legislators, we await to ratify this very important International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The other very important legislative policy is extrajudicial killings. Between the years 2021and 2022, there were too many reported cases of extrajudicial killings in Kenya. It has become a concern in the country. The ratification of International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance will bring to book all the people who either perpetrate or are actively involved in disappearance of people. That was part of what the President mentioned last week on Thursday. As we reflect on the President’s speech, we recognise Kenya's international obligations are not abstract. They are deeply intertwined with the national interest. They support the economy, protect citizens and enhance our global standing, as we move forward. It is imperative that we remain steadfast. It is also imperative to address the treatment of asylum seekers. Kenya hosts in excess of 760 million refugees. It is considered as a safe haven for people who flee from conflict and persecutions in their countries. However, there are two disturbing cases that have come to my attention, which we must reflect on. In October 2024, Kenya deported four Turkish refugees back to their country after accepting an extradition request from Ankara. Again, in November 2024, a Ugandan opposition leader was reportedly taken from Nairobi and later apprehended in Uganda facing charges, that included possession of illegal firearms. The President mentioned that action should be taken on people who come to Kenya illegally. There is a procedure of extraditing individuals who are believed to have committed crimes in their countries or perceived to intend to commit crimes. As the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on"
}