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{
    "id": 618101,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/618101/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 289,
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    "content": "talks about the sovereignty of the people. I want to assume that the sovereignty of the people being referred to in Article 1 is the same sovereignty being referred to in Article 255 of the Constitution. Article 1 states that:- (1) All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution. (2) The people of Kenya may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives.” The amendment to the Constitution, as brought in the Bill that we are now discussing, goes to the representation of the people. This is because if you increase or decrease the numbers or the nominated people, once you are nominated, you are duly elected to be a Member of the Senate or the National Assembly. So, I am not making a decision on that issue. However, I think the issue raised is very fundamental. In my considered opinion, this is an issue that must be determined before we can delve further into this debate. I am sure that all of you Members, will understand where I am coming from. I do not want you--- I can see you are prepared to debate this Bill and it is an extremely important Bill. On the other hand, I do not want us to do an act in futility. So, I have to defer debate on this Bill. I will make a ruling on the issue raised by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale because no ruling has been made on this in the past. That will clarify the situation once and for all, taking into account all the provisions of the Constitution and related laws, including the movement that has been there about increasing slots or having gender parity. I think in fairness, not just to ourselves but to the citizens of this Republic who are following what we are doing, the right thing to do at this moment will be to defer debate on this issue and have a clear ruling made so that we know from where we are proceeding. I do not see any point of having more points of order or debating the issue further without having the matter clearly defined, on what we are doing. One thing is sure, and I want to underline it further, that the issue raised is extremely fundamental and we must deal with it now and not later. So, we will defer debate"
}