Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 166473,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/166473/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 264,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Njuguna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 20,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njuguna Gitau",
        "slug": "peter-gitau"
    },
    "content": "One again, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to join my colleagues in support of this important Bill - the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill. This Bill is very important to us and to our country. Let me also thank the Mover, the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs for the manner in which he has presented the Bill to Parliament. This Bill will address some of the grave concerns that Kenyans have expressed time and again. On the eve of the Referendum, all Kenyans were yearning for major reforms in our institutions. Among the major reforms we needed were judicial reforms, the police reforms and the land reforms. Ahead of us are the very important judicial reforms that we are addressing now, through this Bill. The reforms that we are introducing must be accepted by the church in Kenya, Muslims and all other Kenyans. Judicial reforms are very important in this country. The Mau Mau freedom fighters would not have gone to London to look for justice. They went there because they realized that the justice they were looking for would not be available in this country. Therefore, the Bill is geared towards addressing some of these basic reforms. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we were campaigning for the referendum, we told the wananchi that police reforms would require police officers to salute the wananchi before arresting them. Are they now saluting the wananchi other than meting unnecessary brutality to the people? Therefore, it is important that we bring in major reforms in the Police Force, so that the extra judicial killings that are in our memories are addressed. Concerning land reforms, people have fought in this country because of landlessness, desperation, displacement and even evictions in this country. The Minister for Lands, just a few days ago, indicated to this House that he is intending to bring the National Land Commission Bill. This will go a long way in addressing some of the problems that we have had in this country. In this Bill, it is notable that three judges will be appointed from outside this country. It is my view that we need homegrown and educated Kenyans. It is not prudent for us to think that we can recruit judges from outside our country. This is tantamount to abandoning the investments that we have made in terms of educating our people in this country. We should not dream of that importation. I would urge the Minister to reconsider that position. Regarding the qualifications of our judges and magistrates, we have young men and women, who are qualified, competent and with outstanding abilities to give Kenyans what they deserve. There are exemplary and distinguished Kenyans. We need to make sure that our lawyers are taken through the process to give the judicial reforms the image that we require. I note that our judicial system, at times, has caused a lot of unnecessary agony to Kenyans. People have waited for the determination of their cases in the courts of law which have taken ages. Some victims have already died. Others do not know when their cases will be determined. This translates to denying Kenyans justice as justice delayed is justice denied. This should not happen in modern Kenya. I also note that failure to consult widely between the President and the Prime Minister has caused our current predicament where we are at a stalemate and have failed to give Kenyans an accountable government. Consultations must be there between the Grand Coalition partners as they head the affairs of our Government. Kenyans have already lost faith and trust in our judicial system. Therefore, once this Bill is passed, with the required amendments, it will rekindle that confidence in the minds of Kenyans. With those few remarks, I support this Bill."
}