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{
    "id": 186322,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/186322/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 230,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support this Constitution of Kenya Review Bill. As has been said by the previous speakers, I think a new Constitution in this country is long overdue and Kenyans have been eager. For those who saw what happened in 2002, just prior to the elections when a promise was made that a new Constitution would be in place in 100 days, the pattern of voting was in that direction. When that did not happen, it caused a lot of problems. There was a lot of pressure. Even by the time we were having the Referendum, the pressure was already mounting. It is very important that we forget the issue of individuals and personalities. This is what has been happening. I think those who are charged with the responsibility from the top look at themselves first before they look at the interest of Kenyans. If all of us, as leaders, were to look after the interest of Kenyans, then I think that we need a new Constitution in place. Ethnicity is something that we cannot get out of in this country; from the colonial times when the mzungu used the divide and rule method of administering this country and then at Independence. Over time, we have come to realise that we come from different communities. It August 6, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2417 will be very difficult if we follow the same trend; that we look at ourselves as from various ethnic groups. Kenyans will have trust if we have a new Constitution in place. There must be adequate devolution, so that every Kenyan feels that he or she participates in what goes on from down to the top. We talked about contentious issues. Like it has been said, I think that there are very few issues that have been left. If you look at the issue of the Executive devolution, it does not need the entire country to be involved. I support the way the organs of running this process have been constituted in the Bill. I also support the view that we have few experts. You cannot have everybody going to the kitchen and then you get the food. There must be those who can prepare the food and then put it on the table. In 1991, the Government in place by then, said that there was going to be a new Constitution. After the elections of 1992 we had clashes. The same was repeated in 2002 and 2007 with very grievous outcome. It will be dangerous because Kenyans now know what to do in case something like that happens again. They will now be prepared. Last time I think they were not prepared for it. We do not want to get to that stage. So, I support the idea that we have a new Constitution. The period that was pledged again this time was a year. We are more than half way through. I urge this House and Government to support the idea that we have a new Constitution the soonest possible. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, with those few remarks, I beg to support."
}