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{
    "id": 329104,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/329104/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 360,
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    "content": "Government. They are private initiatives. Although they may feed into and even compliment the Government efforts, they are not extension of Government action or part of the Government policy. I wish to, therefore, confirm that the IEBC does not fund the Uongozi Campaign Caravan. However, part of the IEBC’s mandate is to ensure voter education to all Kenyan voters. This mandate means disseminating information that will empower the citizens to understand the voting system and the methods that will be employed in the coming historic elections. Towards this end, the IEBC has provided voter education materials to all Kenyans, including Uongozi 2012 Campaign Caravan for the purpose of distribution to the general public. It must be appreciated that the mandate of the IEBC towards voter education extends to all the 18 million voters who are targeted for the coming general election. In order to reach all these voters, the IEBC has had to employ all available means to ensure that the relevant voter education materials are disseminated as far and as wide as possible. As indicated above, the campaign caravan is not a Government initiative and I wish to reiterate that. The electoral process, including the planning and execution of all activities necessary for the conduct of the elections scheduled for 4th March, 2012, is being undertaken exclusively by the IEBC. The operation and functional independence of the IEBC is guaranteed under the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011. Section 19 of the Act states that the expenses of the Commission are charged on the Consolidated Fund. Section 26 further states that the Commission shall, in the performance of its functions, not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. These provisions are founded on Chapter 15 of the Constitution which provides a constitutional anchor to the independence of the IEBC. The Commission has a strong team of commissioners, who are competitively and transparently selected and the names were approved by this House. They were, in fact, vetted and have been found capable of discharging their mandate. I am confident they are keeping to the oath of office and are maintaining the independence and impartiality of the Commission. In any case, the commissioners and staff of the IEBC are well aware of the consequences of breaching electoral laws, especially compromising the independence of the Commission. As stated earlier, the IEBC does not sponsor the Uongozi 2012 Campaign Caravan. I would like to assure this House that for the reasons stated above, the IEBC will not engage any organization whose reputation is wanting or one that is out to derail free, fair and credible elections."
}