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{
    "id": 268243,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/268243/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 632,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kioni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 49,
        "legal_name": "Jeremiah Ngayu Kioni",
        "slug": "jeremiah-kioni"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to this Motion. I want to oppose that amendment to the Motion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, many things have been said by my colleagues on what the Committee did and should not have done. But it is now apparent that the drafters of the Constitution had foreseen what is likely to continue happening. At any given time, if Members of Parliament were to be entrusted with the work of delimitation of boundaries, we will never agree or do any service to this country. It is important that we appreciate what the Committee has done. The Committee has brought on board issues of historical injustices and geographical features. It has also given an opportunity to IEBC to address the issues that were more of typographical errors. It is important that we also give respect to the Committee for what they have done. The fact that we passed the Bill capping the wards at 1,450 still does not mean that we do not point out to IEBC areas that require attention. One of the hon. Members, the Member for North Horr, made a contribution opposing the report. But the report actually proposes that his constituency be re-looked into because of more than just one factor of population. This report helps to inform the IEBC of many other issues that they left out. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this report by the Committee had even the suggestion of 60 extra wards, to help diffuse the tension that is there in the country. We already have some flare-ups between communities because of issues of boundaries. So, if we do not look at these issues beyond winning elections, we could end up with a very acrimonious process. I think it is important that we allow this report to go to the IEBC as it is. Even with the hindsight that we have 1,450 wards, let the IEBC look at it. Nothing is binding on the IEBC. In fact, if we do not do anything, the IEBC will continue doing what is expected of them tomorrow. But the report informs the whole process and it is part of public participation. It is for that reason that I oppose that intended amendment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it also does not talk about the re-distribution which is also very important. It is not just the issue of distribution, but there is also the need to redistribute those wards as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}