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{
    "id": 690793,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/690793/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 114,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Waiganjo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2644,
        "legal_name": "John Muriithi Waiganjo",
        "slug": "john-muriithi-waiganjo"
    },
    "content": "I thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to congratulate Members of the 11th Parliament for the work they have done not only today, but in the last few weeks. Today we have passed the laws on elections which set the pace for electoral reforms. Being less than a year in the next elections, we have done a great job. Although in the debate of the Election Law (Amendment) Bill, Members of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs met and wrapped their minds on those amendments; most of them were just meant to clean up the Bills. Other amendments were just to make sure that we pass a law that will help the candidates and the political parties. By and large, I think we shall probably be having a miscellaneous amendment Bill to take care of the loose ends that we left undone. Either way, we have done a good job and we should be proud of what we have done. Moving forward, particularly as we move to our recess, it is time to look back and to meditate and see where we want to take the country. We are moving toward an electoral process and as you know, this country always suffers during the elections. We can seize this opportunity and give the country the best season ever so that when we go to elections, we may not be divisive. As leaders, I would like us not to take very serious and firm positions; we should also not be abusive in our campaigns. That way, we will unite the country together. Today we have demonstrated that we can do it. Parliament is one of the most privileged arms of Government. We do legislation. Our mandate, under the Constitution, touches the people we represent directly. So, we are a House that gives Kenya its face. We must be proud of what we have done. We say that hopping of party Members has been stopped, but I am not very clear about that myself. If you read between the lines, there is a chance of hopping and stepping; I am not clear about the jumping. I believe in serious political parties as ideological vehicles for good governance. It is a good thing to have good political parties. However, as we emphasize on political party loyalty and political party discipline, let us not forget that this discipline is not just with the members of that political party. The discipline should also be with the leaders of those parties so that when a party conducts its primaries, we want to see a situation where a loser is satisfied and can carry forward the ideologies of that party. If we conduct our primaries in a shambolic manner, even steal elections of other candidates, rig them out and give them direct nominations, in effect, we are disenfranchising the citizenry. Members will always skip, hop and create other political parties. Political parties that want to survive and grow, particularly now that there is political party funding, must make sure that all the aspirants learn through those political parties. There must be a fair and plain ground for all. This will ensure that everyone is satisfied and that our people are well represented. Hon. Speaker, the only sad thing that I feel about the end of this session is that we did not debate and pass the Bill on potatoes. The Potato, Produce and Marketing Bill is the most important Bill that will help the people of Nyandarua and Ol Jororok to sell their potato produce. But, by and large, we have done a good job. I wish the Members all the best as they proceed to their vacation. 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."
}