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{
    "id": 612163,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/612163/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kanyua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 981,
        "legal_name": "Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua",
        "slug": "priscilla-nyokabi-kanyua"
    },
    "content": "12 Wednesday 2nd December, 2015(A) urge this House to look at adopting legislations that are very critical to human rights. We are in a country that does not have a housing law. One of our indicators of poverty has been the issue of housing, slums and dwellings that are not really up to human habitation. As a country, we need a housing legislation. I am glad many other laws need to be passed, for example, the Fair Administrative Action, the laws on media, including the Bill that I am moving on access to information. Many of those laws will see the light of day in this 11th Parliament. However, even as we do those ones that are on the queue, the ones that have been published and the ones that are set to come, including the Legal Aid Bill, it would be important that Members continuously bring laws that implement the human rights chapter of our Constitution. I particularly note the absence of the Housing Bill, but there are many legislations that need to be brought. Every time the country is audited on human rights standards, it is important that our country makes the right steps. As I conclude, I want to alert our colleagues in the civil society that let us not cry wolf when there is no reason to. There has been no change in law in terms of the operations of civil society in this country. There is no active Bill before this House on changing the environment within which the civil society works. The environment that the civil society worked in under the Kibaki Administration legally remains exactly the same as we have it in the Jubilee Administration. In fact, in the Jubilee Administration, in our manifesto, we actually have partnership with civil society as one of the ways in which we want to build this country. So, it has not been right for the civil society to assume there is any change in how they should do their work. What they need to do like everybody else is engage with policies like the National Human Rights Policy now, action it and make sure the country continues to enjoy stability, a thriving democracy and, most importantly, continues to ensure that the human rights of all its citizens are respected and are enjoying a certain quality of life. That is what this House today is confirming by adopting Sessional Paper, No.3 of 2014. I support, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}