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{
    "id": 617765,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/617765/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 215,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. A. B. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, I beg to move that The Legal Aid Bill 2015 be now read a Second Time. The objective of the Legal Aid Bill 2015 is to give effect to Article 19(2) of the Constitution on the rights and fundamental freedoms, Article 48 on access to justice and Article 50(2)(g) and (h) on fair hearing. Article 48 provides that the State, which is the Executive, shall ensure access to justice for all persons and if any fee is required, it shall be reasonable and shall not impede access to justice. Poverty has been identified as one of the greatest impediments to accessing justice in Kenya. That is why the Government, in its policy document, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper of 2001-2004 noted that most communities and the poor in most parts of rural Kenya site lack of access to socially responsive and affordable legal and judicial services. These have been seen as critical issues that need to be addressed by the Government in the fight against poverty. A number of Papers and documents have been introduced. A number of policy frameworks have been set in several initiatives among them the National Poverty Eradication Plan 1999-2015, the Investment Programme for Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation of 2003-2007 and, above all, the Vision 2030. All these policies put together recognise the need for access to justice as a critical fundamental pillar for economic development and poverty reduction in Kenya. These policies recommended, among others, that access to justice must be responsive and affordable. The question today is, is it affordable with the various allegation of bribery of US$2 million? Is it affordable? Is it accessible? Is it speedy in the promotion of sustainable economic development in our country? That is why the Legal Aid Bill is seen as a cornerstone of a just society where everybody in our country, including the poor, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged members of our society have equal access to legal and judicial services in a society where we claim to have a reformed Judiciary under the new Constitution. Access to justice means the ability of all citizens, particularly the poor and the 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."
}