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{
    "id": 174971,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/174971/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 354,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Ruto",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Bill but I wish to make a few comments. One is that Kenyans yearn for a new Constitution. Kenyans have expected this for a long time. It is, indeed, a pleasant moment to realise that we are all united in ensuring that this actually comes into reality. I only wish to indicate that in this particular Bill, there have been serious consultations and it is, indeed, demonstrated that it is possible through consultations to get a process that is acceptable to all. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we noted once in a while that at times the Executive still remains reluctant to move on. We want to see an Executive demonstrating that it is willing to deliver to Kenyans a new Constitution. We have had problems counting days and months. I hope the counting of 12 months will be for real and that we should really be able to provide Kenyans with a new Constitution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to take long but I want to point out that there were serious concerns about the question of the employees of the ECK and we have made a provision for them to be redeployed in Government. We are taking it in good faith that the Directorate of Personnel Management (DPM) will interpret that in the spirit Parliament expects it to interpret; that 4136 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 16, 2008 no employee of the ECK who is not and was not, in fact, involved in any subversion of the democratic rights of Kenyans will be punished for something that they did not commit. We expect the Government to take cognisance of the intention of Parliament, but we also want to make it very clear that this House will watch the way that particular section is implemented. If indeed, it comes to our attention that certain employees are being victimised for reasons that cannot be explained, then this Parliament will, once again, take note of that. We want to ask the Minister to watch over that because we may censor him if, indeed, he fails to interpret the spirits of this House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have indicated that Parliament wants to play a major role in midwiving this process. That does not mean that we intend to exclude the rest of Kenyans. We have made arrangements for consultations. We want to ask the Government to sincerely accept that the Committee of 27 hon. Members is meant to allow a competitive process for the recruitment of the Commissioners, the judges of the Court and those ones who will also be in the Boundaries Commission. We do not expect the Government to inundate the Committee with people who have a fixed mind. We want it to be an open Committee that will ensure that Kenyans are given an opportunity. That competitive process of recruitment will not be interfered with. We shall get Commissioners who will minute the process without being beholden to any individual, the Executive or anything else other than the need to ensure that they lead a process of elections during the interim period. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also expect that the judges will be fair and all the issues that will arise during the process will be addressed properly. There will be no undue interference. Lastly, I want to indicate that the question of boundary review--- We are moving towards ensuring that almost every constituency becomes a district. We expect the proposed Boundaries Review Commission to give suggestions on how to manage the creation of districts. We now have about 160 districts. At the moment, we do not know the criteria that is used. Some areas are, therefore, benefiting more than others. We expect those issues to be harmonised with due respect to wide consultations. The issues that have been raised by the Departmental Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs headed by hon. Abdikadir will definitely be the guiding issues. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}