Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 557003,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/557003/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 21,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wandayi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2960,
        "legal_name": "James Opiyo Wandayi",
        "slug": "james-opiyo-wandayi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this very important Motion that was moved by my friend, Hon. Injendi. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the importance of the family unit cannot be overemphasised. The family, as a unit, plays a very critical role in the socio-economic development of any nation. The fact that the Act has imposed some obstacles on those intending to register their marriages is a matter that should concern all of us, as leaders of this country. The fact that the cost of acquiring a marriage certificate has gone beyond the reach of an ordinary Kenyan is something that should of serious concern to all of us. I come from the Ugunja community, which is largely religious. Marriage is taken very seriously, and everyone getting married aspires to acquire a marriage certificate. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, church weddings are ultimate aspirations of every single Christian but it is now very difficult for poor church goers to imagine that they cannot get this valuable document because the cost has become prohibitive. The intention of the Act could have been good but the implications are becoming a problem to Kenyans, who are supposed to be the target of this noble Act. Something needs to be done but more importantly is the matter of decentralising services to the people. In the new dispensation, the most important thing is devolution. We cannot be talking about devolution when a very basic service like issuance of marriage certificate is centralised in Nairobi or at best only available in 12 locations. We need to, at least, have marriage offices distributed across the country up to the sub-county or constituency level. If we allow the family unit to disintegrate by making marriage unaffordable to majority of Kenyans, because of these restrictions we shall be digging our own graves as a country. 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."
}