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{
    "id": 727975,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/727975/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 173,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kipyegon",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1453,
        "legal_name": "Johana Ngeno Kipyegon",
        "slug": "johana-ngeno-kipyegon"
    },
    "content": "However, if you look at the regulations on party primaries and party lists, you will see that the first item talks about submission of party nomination rules, whose deadline is Thursday, 2nd March. This is gone. The second item talks about submission of party membership lists, whose deadline lapsed on 19th March, 2017. According to the amendment that we passed recently, which is also a subject of litigation in court, 120 days is not supposed to be 8th April. I do not know on what basis the IEBC came up with these regulations, bearing in mind the fact that we recently passed a law which talks about 8th April. I wish Hon. Cheptumo could read through it and propose an appropriate amendment, bearing in mind that this matter is pending before court. We do not know what judgement the court will come up with and we cannot pre-empt the outcome of the court process. We can also not sit here and wait for the court to make their judgement. I would also remind the Chair that there is the issue of independent candidates. As per the Constitution, they should not belong to any political party three months to election. There are too many members who try secure to nomination in one party or the other. By the time they make their minds to go independent, they have to resign from the parties. This is the case and yet the deadline is 8th. However, if you look at the proposal by the IEBC, you will realise that they are giving independent candidates only one day to submit their symbols, among other things. The people who made these regulations should understand that we are human beings and, therefore, we are prone to be victims of delays. I hope we will amend these regulations to allow independent candidates, at least, one week or two weeks to submit their symbols and other things to the IEBC. I also want to comment on how to anchor these regulations in the Constitution. There are some provisions of these regulations which must be amended to align them with Articles 38, 84 and 85 of the Constitution which talk about freedom to run for elective post on any party ticket, or make any political choice. This is to ensure that we do not infringe on Kenyans’ right to make choices concerning their politics. Lastly, I would like to comment on the issue of people who are trying to make regulations outside this House. We are considering these regulations because in most cases we delegate the function of making regulations to other Government agencies. We are looking at these regulations because they will affect our country. I am grateful to the Chair for bringing these regulations. We will look at them but we must, as you said, make everybody know that any regulations that have to do with elections must be approved by this House to ensure that people do not threaten others by telling them that they cannot be this or that. We will agree to regulations which will help this country move forward. As we approach the general elections, I urge Kenyans to ensure that we remain peaceful. Elections come and go, but as Kenyans, we remain. What we are seeing happening in the field is unacceptable. Let no Kenyan dies because of elections. Let us approve these regulations to allow Kenyans to have peaceful party nominations. I know that most members approach party nominations as if it is a matter of life and death. It is a do or die in---"
}