{"id":690486,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/690486/?format=json","text_counter":74,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Midiwo","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":184,"legal_name":"Washington Jakoyo Midiwo","slug":"jakoyo-midiwo"},"content":"we are passing a law, let it not be that 76 per cent of Members who will not come back will regret. It is extremely important that we talk about it honestly so that we pass a law after we have convinced ourselves. It is just that simple. We sent Members of the Joint Select Committee to go and negotiate on our behalf and not to make up issues. We are in a scenario where elections bring a lot of friction in our country and yet they should be peaceful. This is especially in a country configured by people from all walks of life and backgrounds like Kenya. Parliament should strive to achieve that. This Bill has issues. Clause 10 of the Bill proposes to create a New Sub-clause 2D. It is good to be meticulous so that you do not make mistakes and commit suicide when you do not have somebody around you who may try to help. The Clause states as follows:- “A candidate for a presidential, parliamentary, or county election shall be selected by persons who are members of the respective political parties and whose names appear on the party membership list as submitted to the Commission under Section 28.” What are you telling Kenyans? It means that that somebody can submit a list and go to Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa to produce candidates. That is a direct violation of Article 38 of the Constitution. This clause needs to state that nominations shall be done according to party nomination rules, which are submitted and gazetted by the Commission. Let us not rush through this Bill because we will be committing suicide! New Sub-clause 2A states as follows:- “Every political party shall submit the names of the party candidates who have been selected to participate in general elections under this Act at least 60 days before the elections.” I have been here long enough to even see Members of Parliament voting to deny themselves allowances. Hon. Speaker, please, hear me out for just one minute. We know we have had problems. We have 24 hours to look at this matter with a toothcomb. The Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs needs to save us. I looked through the Bill of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. It is much better for this issue to be produced by this Joint Select Committee in terms of elections. Let us not rush. We know people want to come together. We also know that party-hopping may be bad, but you cannot come here, not once or twice, and talk about cleaning up the electoral process without talking about political party democracies. It must be looked at. You cannot. I know chaos. I have been through that chaos not once but three times, yet I am an influential member of my political party."}