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{
"id": 333241,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/333241/?format=api",
"text_counter": 378,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Wamalwa",
"speaker_title": "40 Tuesday, 27th November, 2012 The Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 148,
"legal_name": "Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa",
"slug": "eugene-wamalwa"
},
"content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the second issue is a Ministerial Statement regarding a request made by Dr. Bonnie Khalwale, the Member for Ikolomani on 20th of November, 2012. Dr. Khalwale did request for a clarification as to whether we are aware that thousands of youths currently holding waiting cards otherwise called Nusu Kipande are unable to be listed as voters for the forthcoming general elections, whether we are aware that many elderly voters who have the first generation identity cards are being denied an opportunity to register as voters and whether we are aware that a section of Christians, for example the Akorinos, members of the Holy Spirit otherwise called Avakamburi from his area and the nuns of the catholic church are being denied registration unless they agree to strip their heads bare for photo sessions. Finally, Dr. Khalwale asked us to ensure that Kenyans will not be denied their constitutional right to vote. After that, Mr. Ogindo sought for further clarifications. Mrs. Odhiambo-Mabona also sought further clarifications. Dr. Nuh, Mr. Shakeel, Mr. Chanzu, Mr. Ochieng’ and Prof. Kaloki also sought clarification with regard to the Diaspora vote that I have just addressed. Mr. Olago, Mr. Ethuro, Eng. Gumbo, Capt. Wambugu, Mr. Pesa, Mr. Koech and Mr. Musila had some information for me which I received. The information was about the challenges facing, particularly, Makueni and Kitui counties. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, before we proceeded on recess, I issued a Statement in this House as to the state of preparedness for the general elections scheduled for 4th March, 2013 which had been requested by my friend Mr. Benjamin Langat, Member of Parliament for Ainamoi and Mr. Sirat of Wajir South. I indicated then that the IEBC was set to commence voter registration in November for a period of 30 days using 15,000 BVR kits which have a capacity of registering 50 persons per day in the 14,050 wards across the country with a target of registering 18 million Kenyans by the 18th of December. That exercise kicked off on 19th November 2012 with the official launch presided over by His Excellency the President at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and the exercise is ongoing. However, it is true that with the new technology being introduced in this country for the first time, with belated delivery of the kits and the tight time constraints, the exercise has had several challenges in different parts of the county. As they have arisen, IEBC has been up to the task in being able to respond immediately. I want to assure hon. Members that IEBC is, indeed, up to the task and that although we are facing those challenges, they are not insurmountable. We should be able to deal with them. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, to respond specifically to the issues raised, because they were coming from several Members but relating to the first issue of ID cards; the primary document needed for registration as a voter is the national ID or a valid national passport as provided in Section 5(3) of Elections Act (No.24 of 2011) which states that:- “Any citizen of Kenya who has attained the age of eighteen years as evidenced by either a national identity card or a Kenyan passport and whose name is not in the register of voters shall be registered as a voter upon application, in the prescribed manner, to the Commission.”"
}