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{
    "id": 188055,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/188055/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to start by thanking all the hon. Members for their very valuable contribution. Most of the hon. Members who spoke made extremely valuable contributions on how to strengthen this law. The first proposal was that we should have a mechanism for enforcing what the proposed law is advocating, and that is non-discrimination on basis of race or ethnicity and promoting cohesion. I want to agree with the hon. Members that we need to add a clause to deal with the issue of enforcement and also create sanctions for behaviour that does not promote ethnic and racial harmony. I want to, therefore, tell hon. Members that at the Committee Stage, I will make sure that, before then, we sit with the relevant Committee to harmonise the proposed amendments to strengthen this law. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, one hon. Member indicated that the proposed Commission should be independent. I want to agree and refer hon. Members to Clause 14(2)(a), which provides that the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. So, this is already taken care of. The proposed Commission is expected to operate independently, in the same manner the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and other independent bodies, operate. Concerns were raised on the manner of removal of Commissioners. We are willing to look into this aspect. It was also suggested that the proposed Commission should have quasi judicial authority to be able to give directions to employers and other bodies about harmonising or putting their act together on issues of ensuring that they promote cohesion within their organisations. It is also suggested that this body should have powers to name those employers or bodies that will not follow the law, and also issue a notice to comply. I find all these valuable contributions, including the suggestion that we should look into whether the Title itself is negative and, perhaps, needs to read differently. I also agree with those who did say that this is an opportune time to have this Bill passed. One of the cancers we have in our society today is negative ethnicity. We need to deal with it. This law is proposing, not just to promote and advocate for national cohesion, but also to be able to consult with Kenyans and look at what other laws, and what other policies, will be necessary to strengthen our national cohesion. Having indicated that we will take care of the concerns of hon. Members at the Committee Stage, I beg to move."
}