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{
    "id": 65111,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/65111/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 399,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. M. Kilonzo",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 47,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand before you and before my country this afternoon, extremely humbled by the contributions of hon. Members. When I went to law school, I never for one moment dreamt that I would present to my Parliament a Bill on the Judicial Service arrangements and obtain unanimous support, subject to proposals for certain amendments by several hon. Members. Therefore, I want to beg your indulgence so that I can cover as much of what has been suggested as possible, so that this country can understand that the law we are proposing to this country does not belong to Mutula Kilonzo or the President or the Prime Minister or any individual. It is a law for all of us in the present generation and particularly for future generations. Therefore, any person who, between now and the Third Reading, may have any input whatsoever that adds value to this law should come forward with that input. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I hope that the Third Reading will be at the latest on Thursday. Please, come forward without fear, because this is a law which must be owned by all of us as a country. I accept and welcome the proposal to amend the Bill to include the idea of a county judge. I have already identified where we can put the county judge, particularly under Clause 35. I am satisfied that each of the 47 counties in this country should have a seat for a High Court Judge, so as to comply with the Constitution where it calls for the services of the Judicial Service being widely available in every corner of the country. This was a proposal by hon. Mungatana, and I want to support and salute him for it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, similarly, on Clause 27(3), I welcome the proposal that money for the Judiciary should come directly from the Consolidated Fund. This has been put forward by hon. Sambu so ably. I want to say without any hesitation that I accept Article 201 on prudence of judicial service over the national funds. I also want to salute him for the proposal that the appropriation of the Judicial Service Commission and the Judiciary, as required by Article 221(6) of the Constitution, should go through Parliament. I similarly accept the proposal that any expenditure incurred by the Judiciary at any time should be such as authorised by Parliament in order to comply with the new Constitution. I think that this House, this week and last week, has actually risen to the occasion, and is making history, by providing for the vetting of existing judges and for the appointment of new judges. You notice that no hon. Member stood up to move a Motion that the Mover be called upon to respond; debate was exhausted. I think it is a vital opportunity; it is a Rubicon that we have crossed."
}