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{
    "id": 289417,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/289417/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 277,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Khalwale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 170,
        "legal_name": "Bonny Khalwale",
        "slug": "bonny-khalwale"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Section 6(2) puts a very high standard that the names we take to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) must capture political party interest, regional balance, shades of opinion, gender issues and special interest groups, and especially provides that we must have one-third of the nominees being women. The weight of this matter is such that the Constitution of Kenya goes ahead in Article 56(a) and talks about what we are doing, where it is trying to safeguard the interests of the minority and marginalized groups. In Article 100 of our Constitution, again, this matter is re-emphasized and this is the Article that provides that representation of marginalized groups must be promoted. Article 232(1)(g) of the Constitution, again, speaks about this, and this is the section that deals with the values and principles of public service. Here, the Constitution emphasizes the need when one is looking for public office to be subjected to fair competition and merit as a basis for appointments and promotions. Article 27(8) of our Constitution which deals with equality and freedom from discrimination, again, speaks about the highest standard. When this is read together with the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community, Article 50--- Article 50 is actually identical to rule 6(2). This is not the first time this Parliament is giving positions to Kenyans. This Parliament, right from the day we started with the appointment of the Chief Justice, has been going through this exercise of vetting which is similar to this. In all those stages, when the House was making those decisions, at no time was the House presented with one name. The House was presented with enough names to choose from. Finally, I am requesting that we respect this high standard because I have looked at the nominees given by two political parties. The Kenya African National Union (KANU) has given one name while the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has given nine names. In so doing, they have given us a mere 12 plus nine names which give a total of 21 and denied us an opportunity to choose from a total of 3 times nine which is 27. I am inviting you and requesting you that you allow the Kenyans, out of the 117 who were advertized as having qualified to be given an opportunity to know why they missed out so that the process of knocking them out is made public in this House. Secondly, I am requesting that you consider urging both KANU and the ODM to bring in the other Members they left out so that KANU can have, at least, three which we can choose from. The ODM should bring the balance of six which we should choose from. Personally, I am prepared to vote for some of these names but I am uncomfortable that Kenyans who thought that they went into a competition are losing without knowing what was taking place behind this."
}