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{
    "id": 249599,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/249599/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 255,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, I oppose the amendment. If you look at the Section which is being proposed to be amended - which is on page 1349 - and then look at the tabulation of what is in the law now - which is on page 1407, you will see that nothing offends Section 77. We know that when we passed this law, the abuse of court process by suspects had not gained ground like it has now. The people who were charged with economic crimes are holding the courts at ransom, and then claiming that the Government is not prosecuting economic crimes and corruption cases. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, when the law is seeking to provide that there will be September 12, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3891 no stay, it does not mean that a suspect cannot go to court to allege violation of their rights. But when there is no stay of proceeding because the proceedings are on a day to day basis, it means that the suspects will then hurry to get a hearing date. The Chief Justice made rules last year in January which provide that, in the case of preliminary issues being raised, those cases should be disposed of within 45 days. Litigants should not file applications whose end result is to create paralyses of the criminal cases. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, if this Parliament can listen to the voices of the citizens out there, cases must be concluded speedily. A litigant is not being asked not to agitate for their rights. But when there is no stay, they will never use the preliminary application to paralyse the case. I urge hon. Members to oppose the amendment by the Committee and support the amendment by the Attorney-General."
}