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"speaker_name": "Mrs. Shebesh",
"speaker_title": "Nominated Member",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I stand to support this Motion. I must start by thanking my party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for having the confidence in me to be a part of this honourable House. I want to start by acknowledging that being in this House is a great responsibility for all of 82 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 12, 2008 us. It dawned on me the great responsibility that we carry when, over the weekend, I was privileged to accompany my colleagues, the hon. Member for Eldoret East and hon. Member for Eldoret South, who showed me what IDPs are, and what living in an IDP camp is all about. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is why I would like to begin by saying that the responsibility of this House towards the victims of the crisis that came about because of politics is the greatest responsibility we have as a House. I saw in those camps a situation that I did not believe I would ever see in my lifetime. I want to say that the spirit of the Presidential Address during the opening of this House was about peace and reconciliation. However, as we went around Rift Valley Province that day, Uasin Gishu District in particular, it was clear that there are still disparities and there seems to be preference in the way Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are being treated. I believe that as a Member of this House, if we want peace and reconciliation, we must start by stating the truth. We went to various camps where the Red Cross had not visited for some time and we were not sure whether that was a mistake or it was deliberate. We went to other areas where the victims or the IDPs feel that they are still being victimised by the local administration, especially the District Officers (DOs). They were clear enough to tell us as much. So, I believe that we have a responsibility, even as we go about planning our power- sharing agreement, to stop being selfish and start by remembering those who are suffering greatest. I do not believe we are the ones suffering the greatest, but it is the people of Kenya. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to touch on some of the issues that were raised in the Presidential Address and start by saying that I was very impressed, of course, by the intention of the Bills that are going to be brought into this House. However, I was very disappointed to note that the Affirmative Action Bill was not part of the Bills that the Government will be sponsoring. I would like to urge the Government that the Affirmative Action Bill is really going to solve a lot of problems for the women, youth, marginalised communities and even people with disabilities. I think it is about time that we, as a House and a Government, stopped paying lip service to the issue of women, youth, marginalised people and people with disabilities. I urge the Government to look into the possibility of bringing the Affirmative Action Bill to the Floor of this House as a Government-sponsored Bill, so that it is enacted as quickly as possible. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to comment on the issue of the Urban Planning Authority that is going to be put in place. I really believe this is critical for us to be able to deal with the issue of insecurity not only in urban areas, but in the whole country. This is because we are aware that most of the criminal elements that we have and were even used during this crisis, are formed within the slum areas of urban centres, especially in Nairobi. This authority that is coming into place would be a start for us, as people who live in the urban areas, to deal with the issue of insecurity. Poor planning in these urban areas has been the reason why we have insecurity in this country. It is spreading itself from urban areas to the rural areas using these militias that are finding their home in slum areas. It seems the law is unto the militias and not to the security services of this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, (Ms. Shebesh) I want to also comment again on the spirit that the President used in his Address and to caution the leaders, especially because of the comments that we have heard from the Head of the Civil Service, that the spirit of this Accord must be seen to be implemented. If it is not seen to be implemented, then we are being dishonest not only with ourselves, but in saying that we support it because the spirit of this agreement was a power-sharing formula that leaves everybody in a win-win situation. We do not want to feel, as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, that we came into a power-sharing agreement that leaves us in a win-lose situation. I think it is very important for us to be candid about this. We must address the issue of this power sharing of the Government in the spirit with which the two leaders March 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 83 who signed the agreement made it clear to the nation. I, therefore, want to support this Motion. I am grateful for the opportunity again to serve in this House, courtesy of my party and I beg to support."
}