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{
    "id": 485358,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/485358/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 367,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Waiganjo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2644,
        "legal_name": "John Muriithi Waiganjo",
        "slug": "john-muriithi-waiganjo"
    },
    "content": "dwelling houses. It is important for that matter to give protection to some of the people who live with us in our dwelling houses. Hon. Speaker, of particular interest is the definition of “domestic violence” as provided in Clause 3(2). This Clause defines domestic violence as “violence against that person, or threat of violence or of imminent danger to that person, by any other person with whom that person is, or has been in a domestic relationship.” This definition is important and it cannot be looked in the absence of what the Bill defines as domestic relationship. The Bill defines a person with whom you are in a domestic relationship as a person to whom you are married or one to whom you have previously been married to and with whom you are living in the same household. Of course, “family” is also defined widely in this Bill. In order for you to know who this Bill comes to rein in, you only have to look at what is defined as “violence” or “abuse” in this Bill. You will appreciate that this Bill comes to rein in child abusers, husband bashers, wife barterers, female genital mutilators, virginity testers, widow cleansers and stockers. Perhaps, it seeks to do even much more. If you want to know who can violate this Bill, you only have to look at domestic relationships. Who is defined as who in a domestic relationship? People who can violate this Bill are jilted lovers, divorced spouses when they want to hit back at each other; gold diggers who may want to get something out of you; general haters, wife snatchers and husband snatchers. Why do I talk of wife snatchers? Looking at the role of police officers, you will appreciate that police officers have been given sweeping powers. We need to be very careful. Part II, Clause 6(3) says: “A police officer may without a warrant, arrest and prefer charges against any person who (a) the police officer reasonably suspects to have assaulted or threatened to assault a family member.” We are giving a policeman the judgement of suspicion. What we are saying is that an amorous policeman can come to your house and arrest you, without even a complaint because he suspects that you are abusing your wife. He can take you to a police station, deny you bail, run back to your house, get your wife and pretend that he is taking her to a safe shelter, enjoy the facilities, return your wife in the morning and release you without preferring any charges against you."
}