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{
    "id": 603555,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603555/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 186,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kanyua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 981,
        "legal_name": "Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua",
        "slug": "priscilla-nyokabi-kanyua"
    },
    "content": "I want to quickly touch on the amendments proposed by various Members and Clause 6 in particular. I think we are going to look at that Clause again on the exemptions. We are going to tighten and make sure that national security is not used as a reason or a blanket to cover corruption and many other ills in this country. I am particularly aware of the history of this country on national security concerns. However, at the same time, we are a country facing insecurity and attacks. We need to balance the two. On falsifying information, we will take care of that. Penalties also need to be tightened. Let me clarify to all the Members that counties will be captured. This is a constitutional Bill. It will go to Senate and we will look at the provisions on release of information by counties. Private entities as well will look at that question because it is covered under Article 35 of the Constitution. This law seeks to repel the Official Secrecy Act. There is nothing to save of a regime in the past. But we will borrow provisions that protect unwarranted invasion to privacy. We will take care of provisions that allow Government officers to do their work and to give advice within the ministries as they should. However, the Official Secrecy Act will no longer be tolerable in our country after this law has been passed. Whatever information needs to be exempt, will be exempted under the Official Secrecy Act. It is true, indeed, this is a good time for our new Constitution to take root and we continue as a House to pursue the laws that follow that pattern. I will particularly be looking at the Housing Bill after this access to information law. Regarding Dr. Fred Okengo Matiang’i, the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Technology, we open the door for any amendments that the Government thinks are important and any amendments that his Ministry wants to introduce. I am aware of two namely Information Commissioner or Internal Review Mechanism. Any amendments that the Ministry wants to bring cannot be done now because the ship has left the station. It is, indeed, regrettable that you have a minister who for three years does not bring a law which is as important as this one. Why those ministers continue to fail Jubilee Government, I do not understand. On the partners and many people who have contributed to this law, both within Parliament and outside, we want to thank them very much and to remind everybody to celebrate the freedom of information day, every year on September 28th as recognised by UNESCO and the African countries, including the African Union (AU) Members. 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."
}