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{
    "id": 575656,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/575656/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 111,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Musyoka",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 794,
        "legal_name": "Susan Mbinya Musyoka",
        "slug": "susan-mbinya-musyoka"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to contribute to this very important Sessional Paper. The rules of law-making require that laws be adopted in accordance with established procedures and that they be made known to the public. They should be enforced consistently and even-handedly. This important policy document will help follow the rule of law. The rule of law is intended to ensure that a government exercises its authority fairly. It is crucial to securing liberty and justice for the people of any nation. This policy will make us move a step forward. As we know, no country is perfect. We should have those factors that will make us move forward and observe the rule of law. Even in the United States of America (USA) where the supreme law of the land is the Constitution and the Federal Law, it protects women, racial and ethnic minorities and other historically oppressed groups. I know they still have racial issues but, because of the rule of law and good policies, they voted for the first time ever, a Kenyan-American to be their president. That is a joy to many people all over the world. We need to have the policy in place. I thank the committee that has put it in place. It is important for us to appreciate that we need to make people more aware of the laws of this land. As people become more aware of their rights and privileges as citizens of Kenya, we also need to exercise good governance, respect for human rights and recognise the indispensible conditions for sustainable and balanced development in the country. Governance is the way in which the institutions of the state operate. How the state relates to individual citizens, the civil society and the private sector is key to shaping the framework for the development of this country. So, public involvement and participation in law is very important. Having the policy in place will go a long way in involving people and getting them closer to attaining justice. Good governance means that political systems provide opportunities for all people to influence Government policy and practice. Good governance requires an honest and accountable Government capable of managing public resources responsibly. So, the involvement of people, knowledge and awareness is also very important in achieving what this document is expected to do. On the issue of accountability in this country, it is important that binding rules define responsibilities of authorities at different levels. They are pre-conditions and benchmarks for accountability. So, judicial procedures and an independent Judiciary are important instruments to hold those in power accountable for irresponsible behavour. That has been addressed in this sessional paper. Removal of barriers to access justice, including provision of legal services has become a measurable indicator of sector performance. I support this paper and I recognise that it is something that will help us move a long way in the development of this country. I beg to support. Thank you very much."
}