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"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, time has come in this country when we need to confront the challenges facing Kenyans – young and old – in one accord. As we debate this Bill, I hope that it will not become part of historical pieces of advice that lack implementation after being passed. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to dwell briefly, on issues affecting adolescents in this country. As my friend, Sen. M. Kajwang’ has just put it, the youth in this country access very many sexual orgies through the internet. From that information superhighway, it is important that we have an Act of Parliament which will assist the adolescents to understand how they grow up, issues of sex, and issues of abstinence and matters which are considered taboo especially when they are spoken; for instance, matters of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and issues of family planning. The youth are only told about the issues of careers. It is important that this has been captured in this Bill as an extract from the Constitution of 2010. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are many issues in this Bill which some of us had an opportunity to look into when we were called to a retreat. It will be better to address some issues. As you and your colleague, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, have alluded, the issue of termination of pregnancy is a very touchy topic. However, I know that this House has men and women of repute who will amend the relevant clauses to fit the Constitution and the old structure of society. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is another issue affecting young women in this country; that is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It is very alarming that in this country, 20 years after the campaign started, we have not moved a notch higher in matters of FGM. This is because the crusaders who purport to be educating our people about FGM only reach places with tarmac roads and end their campaigns there. The Statistics from the medical fraternity in this country are alarming. Where I come from, I thought that we had slain the idea of FGM. However, I was surprised to learn that in Gusiiland, FGM is at 9.7 per cent. That is 30 years after the campaigns began. Remember, donors have put money into that. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was challenged at that time in a forum. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale said that we must sometimes think outside the box on how to deal with the issue. He wondered why we should not legalise FGM so that cultural practices can be acceptable in a realm of tradition and care. However, you will realise that that cannot be accepted by Western donors. They would think that they are pumping money – which does not make sense – into our country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is important that when some of these Bills come, we think outside the box. We can debate on some of the issues like the FGM and then agree on a way forward which is practically and culturally acceptable in order to move forward. Therefore, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, other issues which have been mentioned and alluded to by preceding presenters will assist this country to move. As I said, Sen. Sijeny has only extracted the requirements of the Constitution to come up with this Bill. She talks about the particular number of ambulances required and the rights of mothers. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}