Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 622081,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/622081/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 331,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Obure",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 118,
        "legal_name": "Christopher Mogere Obure",
        "slug": "christopher-obure"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the debate on this amendment. I am happy that it has attracted high quality debate on the entire issue of provision of education and administration of national examinations in this country. In particular, I acknowledge individually those who have made their contribution in enriching this amendment. I thank the Senator for Homa Bay, Sen. M. Kajwang, who seconded this Bill, Sen. (Dr.) Zani who gave very useful input, the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Wetangula, Sen. Karaba, Chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Sen. Melly, Sen. Hargura, Sen. Wangari, Sen. Elachi, Sen. Lesuuda and lastly my friend Sen. Murkomen. Colleague Senators, I assure you that I have been busy taking detailed notes. I will incorporate what you have said particularly in relation to the amendments. We have all agreed that the question of integrity of our national examination system is very crucial. We all have a duty as citizens of this country to protect the integrity of our national examination system. If we allow that system to be undermined, then our entire education system will collapse. Nobody will recognise our certificates and the kind of education we are offering to our citizens. I made it very clear at the time when I was moving this Bill that we all agree on the need to protect the integrity of our national examinations. However, in moving this amendment, I was particularly concerned about arbitrary decisions which are made by the Kenya National examinations Council (KNEC). These are decisions where victims were not given an opportunity to tell their side of the story. The powers which were given to the KNEC are absolute; they cannot be questioned by anybody. Sen. Wangari said that in as much as we all condemn cheating and malpractices in our examinations, we must also protect the right of victims to be heard. This is a very important statement. This is my concern; that decisions made by the KNEC must be subject to review because they impose untold penalties on students. The KNEC sets, invigilates, supervises, marks and grades exams and then the same institution is given powers to cancel those results. Withholding or nullifying the entire examination unilaterally without giving an explanation to those who have been affected should not happen at our level of development when we are enjoying the fruits of 2010 Constitution. The establishment of a tribunal by this Bill is really one of the ways in which we can correct a lot of the wrongs made particular through unilateral and arbitrary decisions made by the KNEC. Every citizen in this country has a right to be heard. Even the rules of natural justice demand that an individual who feels offended or whose decision has been taken against, should be given an opportunity to explain himself or herself. Therefore, this Bill will give an opportunity to such people to be heard. I have listened to various amendments made particularly on the composition--- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}