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{
    "id": 307470,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/307470/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 513,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Defence (Mr. Musila)",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Kenya Defence Forces Bill, 2012, be now read a Second Time. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the principal object of this Bill is to give effect to Article 239(6) of the Constitution thus aligning the laws relating to Kenya Defence Forces with the Constitution. Generally, the Bill provides for the functions, organization, administration and discipline of the Kenyan Defence Forces. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to take this opportunity to commend the various stakeholders who have made their contribution to the improvement of the Bill. I particularly wish to commend the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations for making a lot of efforts through consultations in order to improve the Bill. As a Ministry, we have availed ourselves whenever the Committee has requested or required us to be present. At the Committee Stage we will move, in collaboration with the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs, the necessary amendments. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, hon. Members should be proud of their defence forces. It is a disciplined force, with a vision to create premier, credible and capable force deeply rooted in professionalism. The Kenya Defence Forces, (KDF) have deterred aggression to our country, and have been involved in very courageous activities, for example in fighting the Al Shabaab in Somalia. Let me correct an impression that was created earlier by a speaker when he was contributing to another Bill, that we are fighting Somalia. I want to correct that impression, and state that Somalia is a friendly country and what KDF are involved in, or have been involved in, is fighting the Al Shabaab in collaboration, in fact, with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently the KDF have well over 4,600 men and women in uniform, who are now serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in a robust peace keeping mission in Somalia. The KDF have in the past provided support to the civil power in maintenance of order when necessary, as it happened in the year 2008. The KDF have also in the past participated during times of disaster. I, therefore, appeal to hon. Members of this House to show their appreciation to the selfless service of our men and women in uniform by supporting this Bill."
}