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{
    "id": 706517,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/706517/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for the opportunity to support the Contempt of Court Bill, National Assembly, Bill. No.32 of 2016. The most important thing in whatever we are doing now is to consider the stage we have reached as a nation. It has taken us since 1963 up to now, which is over 50 years since we got Independence. Previously, we have relied on laws that were made from other jurisdictions, which were amended to suit our situation. However, as we develop, even if you look at our Constitution, it allows for openness and quite a lot of things. It is important that we get to a level where people can understand and predict the consequences of their actions. It is important for us to predict the consequences of our actions. I heard one of my colleagues talking about ignorance. All this time, I have understood that ignorance is no defence in law. I do not know whether that position has changed. The best way is to try as much as possible to make the citizens aware of the consequences of their actions. That is the reason why we have this law, so that people can know what is likely to happen in case they act in certain ways. If they are in contempt of court, they should know the consequences. When they know, it is easier for them to act in a more organised way. Awareness is very important. We have talked about civic education in various matters including the Constitution. A lot of money was spent on civic education, but even up to today, people do not understand the Constitution. If you look at the Chapters in the Constitution one by one, particularly the Bill of rights which is very simple, many Kenyans do not know their rights. This is because civic education was done in the right way. The idea of groups of NGOs taking money, going to major towns, gathering a few people, taking their views and filing them is just like opinion polls. A number of opinion polls are done in this country, but we are never asked for our views. You will find it written that many people were surveyed and sometimes you wonder who they talk to. These laws that we are bringing are the kinds of reforms that we agitated for, even those who were fighting for the second liberation of Kenya. They fought for reforms to have transparency, openness and people can know the consequences of their actions. It is important for people to know the consequences of their actions. The other aspect that is important is the involvement of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in improving the extent of the contempt. That is important because it should not just be discretional that a court or somebody feels that there has been contempt of court and action is brought against somebody. It should not be discretional. It should be where somebody in a responsible office like the DPP is given the mandate and has officers who can look into the 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."
}