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{
    "id": 706490,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/706490/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wamunyinyi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 291,
        "legal_name": "Athanas Misiko Wafula Wamunyinyi",
        "slug": "athanas-wamunyinyi"
    },
    "content": "when that is not the case. I am happy the offences that constitute contempt of court have been clearly outlined in this Bill. The administration of this case has also been made clear. In Kenya, matters pending in courts take a long time to be concluded. Recently, I saw in newspapers cases that have been pending in court since 1960s, for example, cases of the families of Mbiu Koinange and Charles Njonjo. Why should a case remain pending in court for all that time without being disposed of? There must be something wrong. I am happy to learn that the new Chief Justice is re-organising and restructuring the Judiciary to ensure that service delivery is effective and efficient. I feel that the issue of cases of contempt of court going before the complainant court should have been looked into. If a lower court is the complainant, a higher court should hear the case. If it is the High Court, a different judge should hear the case. If you are the complainant, it is only fair that another person hears the case. It is only fair if the Judiciary is strengthened to ensure that there is fair administration of justice and people are served without delay. Some of the things we find difficult and which need to be looked into involve Article 23 of the Constitution regarding the Bill of Rights as cited by my colleagues. It is not necessarily contempt of court, but even in some cases where one is charged in court, when they relate to public affairs and activities, it amounts to interfering with one’s rights. So, clearly, there has to be a separation and the court should help us to ensure that the Bill of Rights is not interfered with. People’s rights is one of the strong points in a democracy and this can only be assured when courts ensure that while they administer criminal charges, they balance to ensure that no party feels that their rights have been violated. I wish to support this Bill and urge colleagues to do the same so that we can move and pass it and ensure that people who have suffered in the past under unclear circumstances do not have to go through this again. One time I was accused of contempt of court and I survived narrowly, yet I did not commit it. I hope this does not happen to any Kenyan. With those few remarks, I wish to thank you for giving me the opportunity to support the Bill."
}