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{
    "id": 1556707,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556707/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 136,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Chuka/Igambang’ombe, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Patrick Ntwiga",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, I rise to present this Public Petition regarding the recognition of the Chuka community as a tribe in the Republic of Kenya. I, the undersigned, on behalf of the Chuka community of Kenya in Tharaka-Nithi County, draw the attention of the House to the following: THAT, the Constitution of Kenya, in its preamble, affirms the national pride in the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity as the bedrock of unity of a sovereign nation; THAT, Article 44 of the Constitution recognises that every person has the right to use the language, and to participate in the cultural life of the person’s choice; and that a person belonging to a cultural or linguistic community has the right, with other members of that community, to enjoy the person’s culture and use the person’s language; THAT, the Chuka community has a population of more than 117,000 people who are primarily located in Tharaka-Nithi County and owing to the historical, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Chuka community, there is need to formally recognise them as a distinct tribe in the Republic of Kenya; THAT, the Chuka community traces their origins to the coastal region of Kenya from where they migrated inland and eventually settled in the south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and have a cultural and historical claim to the land known as MagunduMa Chuka, which is now part of the Mount Kenya National Park and Forest Reserve; THAT, although the Chuka community has maintained governance structures, economic activities, and cultural practices that distinguish them from their neighbours, the Chuka community has not been recognised as a tribe in this country; THAT, members of the Chuka community have their own unique language that has unique phonetic characteristics that are substantially distinct from those of its neighbouring tribes, including naming system and circumcision rites that makes it distinct from neighbouring tribes, unique and historical governance and leadership systems comprising of councils of elders such as Kiama gia Nkome and Kiama kiaMugongo that have been and still are, crucial in providing community leadership and direction, and in resolving conflicts involving the Chuka community; THAT, the Chuka community plays a fundamental role in Kenya’s socio- economic growth and the enhancement of Kenya’s economy, primarily through agriculture and trade; The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}