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{
    "id": 204972,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/204972/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Muite",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 235,
        "legal_name": "Paul Kibugi Muite",
        "slug": "paul-muite"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, if you look at Section 16 of the current Constitution, you will see in the marginal note the year 1997. This note came in after the Inter- Parties Parliament Group (IPPG) talks, when Section 16 was amended to say that, subject to any written law, the President can appoint Ministers and Assistant Ministers from amongst Members of Parliament. The written law to which Section 16 was made subject is the National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act. In 1997, after the IPPG consensus, the words \"concurrence of the party\" were put in the National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act. The objective of the amendment by the Member for Siakago is to bring to an end \"cannibalization\" of the Opposition in this House, so that if the Member for Kikuyu becomes the President tomorrow, and his party does not get a majority of Members in this House, he will need to negotiate a structured coalition with a party. That is the only way in which we can strengthen multiparty democracy, and strengthen parties as platforms for advancing democratisation. This is a noble amendment, and it is not right to be told to wait for the passage of the Political Parties Bill. We debated the Political Parties Bill during its Second Reading Stage. It is awaiting its Third Reading, but it has not been brought here. We do not know when it is going to be brought here. So, let us support this amendment. Even those of us on the Government side of the House need this amendment, because we do not know what the forthcoming elections will bring forth. There is no violation of Section 40 of the Constitution at all. What this amendment is saying is that if you accept an appointment without your party concurring in writing, then you go back for a by- election. You will lose your seat automatically by operation of law. I beg to support."
}