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{
    "id": 7264,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/7264/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 425,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mungatana",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 185,
        "legal_name": "Danson Buya Mungatana",
        "slug": "danson-mungatana"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not agree with the ruling, although we have to live with it. I rise to persuade you, maybe to make a further finding in view of the following. Mr. Speaker, Sir, you did rely on Article 256(2) where the Constitution says that that Parliament shall publicize any Bill to amend this Constitution and facilitate public discussion about the Bill. You did, in your ruling, interpret that to mean the First Reading and then, afterwards, the 90 days of debate before the Second Reading. However, what is the meaning of “publicise?” As a Senior Counsel, you know that the Constitution is interpreted by the Constitution itself. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 35(3) of the same Constitution reads:- “The State shall publish and publicise any important information affecting the State.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, this means that there is a clear distinction between “publish” and “publicise.” These two words that have been used in Article 35, to my mind and to an ordinary person’s mind, would mean that if Article 256 said that Parliament is to publish the Bill to amend, then we are talking about it first going to First Reading. But to publicise, in my simple understanding, is that Parliament needs to discuss this matter and talk about it outside to make it known. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when we talk about participation of the people, I want to invite you to look at the application of the Bill of Rights, under Article 20. It is the right of Kenyan people to:- 1. Have access to information which is part of the Bill of Rights under Article 35. 2. Participate in debates prior to and even before the publication of any constitutional Bill."
}