Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 351892,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/351892/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 113,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "This Government will focus on changing Kenya’s place in the world. The nature of our relationships, hon. Members, is already changing. We are already deepening links with our regional neighbours. We are partnering with our African brothers and sisters to bring peace and stability across our continent. We are seizing the opportunity of our times to drive the world and place Kenya and Africa at the heart of the global economy. My Government will continue this process by ensuring that we move beyond traditional diplomacy towards a new engagement that is based on our economic interests. Hon. Members, the clock has officially begun counting down on the life of this Parliament. In less than five years from now, we will be evaluated based on how we dealt with the crucial issues facing this country. Today, I am outlining a broad legislative agenda for this session of Parliament. This agenda contains the Bills and Sessional Papers that I would wish you to consider. They constitute a promissory note on the pledges we have made and the reforms that the Kenyan people have voted for. First and foremost, my Government is committed to the speedy completion of the unfinished business of implementing our Constitution. The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution dictates that the remaining legislation should be enacted not later than 27th August this year. I will, therefore, send to Parliament Bills to entrench civil liberties and protect the freedom of the media; support the county governments; enable the public to fully participate in decision-making at the county and national levels;, reform campaign finance; and ensure diversity and gender balance in the county assemblies. I will also propose the Division of Revenue Bill and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill which as per the Constitution must be approved by April 30th. I urge Parliament to act swiftly in their consideration of these measures so that we can meet our constitutional obligations. Finally, as part of our commitment to the implementation of the Constitution, we shall continue to review current legislation to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions. We shall move to engage in urgent consultations with the relevant constitutionally mandated bodies, relevant line ministries and State departments to prepare proposals, to align them to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. These shall include legislation and amendments touching on the National Police Service; national Government co-ordination; county governments and devolution; medical supplies management and education management, amongst others. There is much to do beyond the implementation of the Constitution. I am proud to have submitted to the electorate the most detailed, specific and comprehensive manifesto in Kenya’s history. That manifesto was endorsed by the people of Kenya and I intend to fulfill those promises. My Government will, therefore, move to propose our legislative agenda in line with the commitments of the Jubilee manifesto. I will bring forward measures to protect the family and improve the quality of life for the Kenyan people. Furthermore, we will seek to entrench the rights and freedoms that are the hallmarks of a truly democratic society by proposing The Access to Information Bill and The Data Protection Bill. This Government is for all Kenyans whether they live here, at home or abroad. We recognise the Diaspora’s contribution to the economic life of our country but more than that, they are members of the Kenyan family. We will, therefore, institute measures to facilitate their fuller participation in public life. I will act decisively to boost development and harness our potential for growth. Specifically, my Government intends"
}