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{
    "id": 567780,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/567780/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 225,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mati",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2469,
        "legal_name": "G.J. Munuve Mati",
        "slug": "gj-munuve-mati"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I stand guided. I rise here to very strongly support the Bill. I support it because, although we have had very many examples given, including those of the USA and other jurisdictions in terms of the small number of political parties, we do not have a culture of democracy in this country. I want us to be a country where not only horses take to the field but also donkeys, camels and possibly goats are allowed to participate in the race through a process that allows for equity and transparency. In my estimation, 40 per cent of the Members of this House would not be here if we had only two political parties. This is because what we have in some cases is what is called in some countries “Personal Political Parties (PPPs), where a big man or woman sits and appoints people to represent the party. In other cases, we have others we call “Family Political Parties” (FPPs). We also have “Briefcase Political Parties” (BPP). All these are euphuisms for different kind of political formations that pretend to promote democracy while within those political parties there is a lot of oppression and dictatorship. If it was not for the space for small political parties, I can point many people who would not be here with us. Hon. Katatha would not be here if it were not for Hon. Kalembe Ndile, who rescued him at the last minute. Today, he is representing the people of Kangundo. The dominant political party in Ukambani managed to get three seats out of five seats in Machakos County because of preferential treatment of some members. I am a victim of that treatment. Let us take political parties as matatus, which are found at every stage in towns across the country. A passenger goes to the stage and chooses which matatu to board. If you pay your due fare, nobody will prevent you from getting to Nairobi in good time. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, let us allow democracy to prevail in this country by allowing the proliferation of political parties. Let us fund them proportionate to the strength they have in Parliament. Even after elected Members come to Parliament, there is provision for entering into post-election coalitions. Therefore, we should tie democracy at the level of the voter. It is the voter who decides who is best for them. It is not two or three people deciding for the voters by giving them only two political parties. Let us allow everybody to participate in the democratic process and have a chance to be elected or rejected by the people. 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."
}