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{
    "id": 670646,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/670646/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 247,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Maanzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2197,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Kitonga Maanzo",
        "slug": "daniel-kitonga-maanzo"
    },
    "content": "“Recommend legal, policy and institutional reforms to strengthen the IEBC and improve the electoral system and processes so as to ensure that the August, 2017 elections are free and fair and are administered in an impartial, efficient, simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent manner.” That is the thrust of this and it is fair for both coalitions, so that everybody feels happy. The main idea of the two coalitions or the two sides of the House in the Constitution is so that everybody is carried on board. It is so that there are no serious divisions as there used to be in the previous elections under the old Constitution. Hon. Deputy Speaker, if the new Constitution was not here by 2013, Kenya would probably have been worse of. Those are the things we are trying to avoid. Since political parties are whipped by their leaderships, it would be good for both sides of the House to agree with what has been whipped. This document says the two leaders in the House will sing to show that every party has been served right. Consensus building is important. As much as we pass those names, we need to go further when the Select Committee sits. That is so that it polishes any pending issues being raised through this debate. It is true there are pending matters that need clarification. Electoral reforms have been mentioned. Some of them will emanate here. This does not negate the purpose of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs currently dealing with IEBC. Its mandate is not negated at all. The law has not been broken. In fact, this is based on Article 1 of the Constitution. The people of Kenya can speak for themselves or through their elected leaders. They have already spoken for themselves. They have made proposals to the House of elected leaders and the elected leaders have digested those proposals. They have come with this Motion. It will be debated and most probably passed. When the Select Committee sits, it will find the best way to execute the mandate it has been given by the people through this House. This is based on the Constitution. It will be ridiculous to rubbish it. It has the force of the law and the people, through their leaders and the coalitions. It goes on to be supported by our Standing Orders. It has two co-chairs. They are Hon. Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Hon. Senator James Orengo who are very senior politicians and lawyers in this country. I believe that a process driven by those two will serve this country better. That is so that there are no selfish interests and people do not go back to their tribal cocoons. As much as there could be varying opinions, everybody is allowed by law to share their opinions and express what they feel. This negotiated Motion is for the better of the country. It should be given the best support so that the country is served better and the people of Kenya are better. There is nothing perfect in the world; something which can be the perfect model. That is especially if it originates from fellow human beings like this deed. I saw the leadership of Jubilee appoint those people, support them and modify them as requested. I saw the leadership of CORD supporting this. I was part of the team which helped to select the team. I saw people withdraw. That right was given. I also saw a lot of sharing going on. The leaderships of Jubilee and have agreed. Houses are whipped in very many ways.. A little bit of obedience and reasonableness is good for the country. There is a common saying that a reasonable person in Kenya is a normal Kenyan seated in a Kenya Bus by-passing Kariokor. That is the normal Kenyan, one who is reasonable and well intended. That is what we want to do in this Motion, so that there is a draft Bill, Bills or Reports which the House will agree on. By the reason that this Motion has been brought to the House, it can pass or fail. If it fails, what is the fate? What happens to the country and the whole process? Already, some members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission have shown good will. They 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."
}