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{
    "id": 718981,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/718981/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 98,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. F. K. Wanyonyi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2065,
        "legal_name": "Ferdinard Kevin Wanyonyi",
        "slug": "ferdinard-kevin-wanyonyi"
    },
    "content": "that somebody somewhere was getting people from across the neighbouring State. I do not know whether that is true. I want to be on record here that in my neighbouring constituency, people are coming from the neighbouring constituency to register in order to boost numbers, so that they can retain their seat. That is illegal. That person has nothing to offer. He is like a mercenary. He is just coming in to boost numbers, goes away and does not care whether that person wins or not. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to urge Kenyans that it is upon them to vote, but not to be persuaded to vote. If this Motion goes through, and I hope it does, we should look at it as a long-term plan. Sometimes back about six months ago, I tabled a Motion urging us to use waiting cards to register as voters as we wait for IDs and we all agreed. That Motion was passed. We called the IEBC and they said that there was nothing wrong with using waiting cards. I do not know what happened thereafter. I want to revive the same Motion in future. I think the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs should address that in future, that people can use waiting cards to register as voters as they wait for IDs. They can use IDs when to vote. That Motion was passed in this House. I originated the Motion. However, the IEBC slept on the job. I want to urge Kenyans to come out in large numbers and voluntarily choose their leaders other than being persuaded. It is their right. Kiambu County has registered 250,000 voters because they see the need to retain the President. As a leader in that area, one should persuade the voters to retain him as a leader. I was so impressed that Kiambu County has 250,000 registered voters, which is a plus. They are persuaded by the fact that the President comes from their region. Therefore, he brings development to the area. As a leader, you should do the same by encouraging potential voters to locate their cards because you want to continue with the development record for your area. I do not see anything wrong with what my friend, Hon. Njomo, has done. That is the only motivating factor for people to voluntarily register as voters. Last but not least, we should not dangle the carrot by using money and handouts as a way of asking our people to register as voters. In my own area, I have told my people that I will not give anyone a cent. They should go and register because it is their right to register as voters. I will not give them a cent. I ask Members in general not to fall into that trap that just because the numbers are low, they dish out money. That is not the best way of harnessing and cultivating democracy in our country. With those few remarks, I also want to take this opportunity to say that the chiefs are doing a good job. The President did very well by asking the chiefs to come out and help citizens to register as voters. I have gone to four or five funerals and I have seen chiefs carrying IDs with them and asking people to collect their IDs. That is one way of doing it. I want to encourage our chiefs to continue doing that job, so that our people can register as voters. The problem here is the youth. They see no need to register to vote. With time, they will catch up with the idea that it is their universal suffrage to vote as individuals. Let us move forward. I support the Motion by my brother, but maybe it has come too late with only 12 days to go. We will go further. As I said, I will table a Motion in future making it compulsory for anybody over the age of 18 years to vote. Therefore, if you do not vote, you will be taken to jail. That is the only our youths will understand. Otherwise, I support the Motion by my brother, Hon. Njomo."
}