Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1506846,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1506846/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 350,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is the same challenge that I have seen when I am dealing with issues like marginalisation that normally require affirmative action. There are areas where there have been interventions. Those areas no longer qualify to be treated as marginalised areas but, because they were initially marginalised, we keep on referring to them as such. Marginalisation is not inherent by DNA but because of human activity. I know that the Temporary Speaker’s home area was marginalised for a long time. The area where I come from was also marginalised for a long time because of political reasons. However, if there were interventions in some of those areas and there is a change, we cannot remain marginalised for life. There must be a criterion to demonstrate that an area is no longer marginalised and is now is at par with the rest of the country. It is similar with affirmative action for women in this House. Many of us pushed for a sunset clause so that we do not have affirmative action for life. I hope a time will come when people will normalise the election of women. I will give you an example. I first came to Parliament as a nominated Member alongside people like Hon. Sophia Abdi Noor, Hon. Amina Abdalla, Hon. Rachael Shebesh and others. One of the things that people do not talk so much about is the fact that no woman has ever been elected in the areas where we come from. I am the only second Suba woman in the National Assembly of Kenya. The first one was Josephine Asiyo, who was a nominated Member. I also came in as a nominated Member. This is the first time that a Suba woman has been elected to this House. I am told that Hon. Sophia Abdi Noor vied in 1997 and succeeded on the ground, but a delegation was sent to President Moi, who was told that they could not elect a woman; and her certificate was cancelled. After serving as a nominated Member, she was then elected. Areas such as Masalani and Lamu, which could not nominate women to Parliament before, are now electing women. Why? Because of affirmative action. We have not yet reached the percentage that we need but once we do so, affirmative action must be done away with. Similarly, there must be a sunset clause for a start-up business. Otherwise, we will abuse it. Once again, congratulations to the two of you for an excellent Bill."
}