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{
    "id": 166484,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/166484/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 275,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. I.E. Mohammed",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 82,
        "legal_name": "Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi",
        "slug": "mohamed-elmi"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity. Let me congratulate the Minister for bringing here this Bill, which I wholeheartedly support. In bringing a new Constitution we have turned a new page in Kenya. But if there is one thing which is going to make the constitution work as Kenyans expected, it is the justice sector of which the Judiciary is a pillar. The Judiciary has to be trusted. For people to put themselves in front of a judge, a magistrate or an arbitrator, they have to trust them. That is what sustains democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, probably this is the most important step we are taking. We are saying that we are going to vet our Judiciary. This is not witch-hunting, and this Bill is very clear about that. It is to ensure that everybody submits themselves to the new order that Kenyans are asking for, so that nobody ever again, after 2008, will say, “I cannot go to the Judiciary”. If anybody says that, Kenyans will then tell them: “Go away! We trust this Judiciary because it was vetted”. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, however, that vetting is just for a short period. There will be the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) which will take over the vetting. That must be known. In future, it will be the job of the JSC to monitor every judge, because today you can be good but something can happen to you and you can be tempted. The JSC will make sure that the Judiciary remains trusted by Kenyans. There are enormous benefits. First and foremost, the Judiciary will guarantee all those rights that have been mentioned in our Constitution such as the rights of individuals and the protection of our institutions. People break rules left and right every day, but there will be protection of business and increase in investment. Recently I had an occasion to meet a Minister from another country, who was in business before. He said, this is a very beautiful country, with a lot of investment opportunities. The only problem is that if somebody decides to take me to court I will lose my money. This is the most critical thing we are doing. The Judiciary is not only supposed to be trusted, but it should also pass the test of perception. It is not only good enough that it is good. The public and everybody who comes to this country must trust it. That is very important. As Parliament, we will pass this Bill and vet the judges, but it is for the public to be vigilant for us to safeguard the Judiciary and the justice system. Finally, I will not be doing justice if I do not say that 70 per cent of this country, from West Pokot to Lamu does not have a High Court. I hope that is going to change with the new JSC, and every county will have a High Court. I beg to support."
}