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{
"id": 461722,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/461722/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kang’ata",
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"speaker": {
"id": 1826,
"legal_name": "Irungu Kang'ata",
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"content": "class. They loot money and they use that money to campaign. With this Bill, for instance, there are safeguards pertaining to disclosure. That is, you disclose where you get that money from. To a certain extent, it has also addressed the issue in respect to foreign funding. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have had situations in this country where foreigners have been pumping a lot of money in our elections. We had also a situation of money laundering which is a practice where people commit crimes. Maybe, they are trading in drugs or piracy; and then they use that money to come and join politics or to launder that money through the political process. You will then have a situation where the political system is now tilted in favour of the corrupt or those who are doing illegal things. Therefore, once we pass this Bill, such instance, we are sure, within the next few years, that will be remedied. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, another reason why we need to provide for this law is because of the provision that is found in the new Elections Act which was enacted last year. It appeared to give power to IEBC to come up with regulations relating to this issue. But then again that was not fair. We had a seminar where we discussed the IEBC on this issue. We thought that, if we were to leave this business strictly to IEBC, it would not be fair. One, we have some Kenyans who have raised credibility issues regarding the IEBC’s independence. Secondly, we thought that IEBC being a referee, it ought not to come up with regulations probably being captured in an Act of Parliament. Therefore, this is the best chance for us as Parliamentarians to come up with an act of Parliament that is addressing the issue of campaign finances. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we, hon. Members, need to realize that this is a very crucial Bill which affects our lives as politicians. It will influence how we shall face our opponents come 2017. Five years may seem to be a very long time, but it is not. With a brink of an eye, we shall be heading to another election. So, this is not an electioneering mood or period. I foresee this to be the best time for us. Before we enter into an electioneering mood, we discuss this Bill objectively so that we are able to add to it, deduct and vary. Then, we come up with something that would address this very crucial issue. As I conclude, I would like to draw the attention of hon. Members to the fact that, personally, I have been in politics for some time. I was elected as a councillor when I was 22 years old. Now, I have been elected again as a Member of Parliament at the age of 33 years. I have seen how money discriminates or prejudices young people who are trying to enter into politics. I have seen how the power of money works. I thank the people of Murang’a and Kiharu for the period I have been with them in politics. I also thank God for giving me that chance to serve the people; notwithstanding that I may not be having a lot of resources. I also know that in other constituencies, money is a very crucial factor. Therefore, without this kind of Bill, I know there are so many young people who have very good credentials than even mine, who are unable to join politics and become politicians and leaders. This is very unfair because we are looking at plutocracy instead of meritocracy; a situation where we are creating a system that favours those who have accumulated wealth through illegal means. With those remarks, I beg to second."
}