Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 670664,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/670664/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 265,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Ombaka",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1007,
        "legal_name": "Christine Oduor Ombaka",
        "slug": "christine-oduor-ombaka"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity that I call hope at last because the issue of IEBC has been a huge challenge to this country. It has been accused of many things, including corruption and unfairness in managing the last elections in 2013. This is a solution. At least, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. The 14 Members who are selected here will be the representatives of this House and the public. It is part of that dialogue that has been an issue, which is beginning to yield fruits and take place. The two parties will be sitting together; with seven Members from this side and another seven from the other side. It is a process that is highly recommended. The fact is that we are tired of arguing over whether IEBC should go on till 2017 or not. We want to get the truth out of this and ensure that 2017 elections are done properly and that there will be fairness in the elections and management of the whole process. Even though we have noticed the 14 Members are not gender balanced - in other words the two-third gender rule was not followed here - I still believe the three women will do. But we still have room for one more. I do not understand why Hon. (Prof.) Sambili did not take up the position she was given. Her party is a member of the Jubilee Coalition and she should have just been there as part of Jubilee. Somehow, I cannot understand her reasoning because that was an opportunity for another party within Jubilee to be represented, and also an opportunity for one extra woman. I fail to understand her argument. The other part I like is the fact that there are co-chairs - two people chairing this process. That means there is going to be some kind of balance in terms of managing the Committee that is going to decide on the report which will come to the House for debate. The responsibilities that are given are quite many but what is most attractive in my view is No.10 on the second page, where they are going to consult the civil society, churches and other people. That means it is not Members of Parliament who are going to make decision on what to do with IEBC. It is going to embrace the feelings and ideas of Kenyans so that when the report is written, it will reflect ideas which other people hold. I want to hope and believe that this Committee is credible enough to come up with a report that is going to reflect all that. It will put an end to all the challenges that we face in elections and for anybody not to accept this Select Committee and feel that this is not necessary - as I have heard many members suggesting - that person does not realise how much sacrifice has been put. Those who have died during this process, we cannot allow that to happen again. We are only hoping that the Committee is going to come with new rules and regulations that will ensure that 2017 is peaceful and the elections and announcement of winners and losers is fair. When one loses, he or she should go home satisfied that they have actually lost. When one wins, he or she should believe that they have done a good job. I am very happy that the process of dialogue has taken place and that everybody in this country is going to have an opportunity to express themselves on what is to be done with IEBC. All I know is that IEBC must go because too many sins have been committed. Therefore, the Committee should document for us those sins so that we can improve in the next general elections. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I support."
}