{"id":427803,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/427803/?format=json","text_counter":72,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. A.B. Duale","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":15,"legal_name":"Aden Bare Duale","slug":"aden-duale"},"content":"Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I want to say that Kenya is a God-fearing country and both the Bible and the holy Quran and this Constitution do not allow what we are discussing this morning. The Constitution in Article 45(1) says:- “The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order, and shall enjoy the recognition and protection of the State.” Article 45(2) says:- “Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, based on the free consent of the parties.” That is the Constitution. If you want me to quote from the Quran, I will do it. If you want me to quote from the Old Testament, I will do it. So, this is the basis in the Constitution, the Penal Code; Sections 162, 163 and 165 are very clear. Hon. Jakoyo asked about the specific measures the Government is taking against this problem. I think this is a social problem and I do not want to lay blame; if our religious leaders are watching me, that is where we should start. We should preach against this and preach the holy books. Leaders have a role to carry out civic education and I want to agree with hon. Jakoyo. It is happening in our schools. It has been well said The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."}