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{
    "id": 477646,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/477646/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 186,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kaluma",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1565,
        "legal_name": "George Peter Opondo Kaluma",
        "slug": "george-peter-opondo-kaluma"
    },
    "content": "Despite the castigation that preceded the passage of that particular law, ultimately Kenyans agreed that it was a good thing when they realised that very many sectors of the community were involved. So, the ideal of public participation is critical, more so considering the fact that ours is a democracy. It is not something that we can just wish away at the threat that Parliament will be dissolved. May I end by saying that it is not automatic that if these Bills are not passed, Parliament will stand dissolved? There are two options for this process. The Chair of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee should explore them as already proposed by the Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. One option is under Article 261(1), which provides for extension of time by the necessary number of Members of the House dealing with the matter, so that we can properly consider each of these Bills. Hon. Speaker, that is important because we may rush and, in the long run, get caught in the vicious circle that instead of generating new laws, we find ourselves revising Bills which we passed in a hurry. It would be a bigger waste of time than extending the time and dealing with the Bills properly. The other leeway is in Article 261(5) and (6). It is not automatic that if we do not pass these Bills we are going home. A citizen of this country will go to court. The court will hear that citizen. We will have an opportunity, as the legislation-making body, to explain why there was delay. The courts have discretion, after considering everything, to set new timelines for publication of the Bills. Of course, such consideration may take into account how much time the National Assembly needs, with the participation of Kenyans, to pass a Bill that is qualitative. So, this talk that we are going home should not be used to intimidate this House into passing bad laws. With those many remarks, I strenuously oppose the Motion and beg that we do the proper thing."
}