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{
    "id": 731453,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/731453/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 435,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Baiya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 8,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njoroge Baiya",
        "slug": "peter-baiya"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute and support these regulations. Listening to where the country is moving to as perceived by the leaders, one thing that comes out quite disturbingly is the fact that, as a country, we identify problems and we are not incapable as far as identifying problems and challenges are concerned. We identify solutions, but when it comes to actual implementation, we seem to have a gap in terms of trusting ourselves; trusting that we can actually do what we have undertaken to give to ourselves. I am saying this because these regulations have come about as a result of the amendments to the election laws that we did in a very bipartisan manner; all parties were consulted. Eventually, the IEBC has been involved. It is actually the main body making the regulations being considered. Looking at the content and substance of these regulations, it is basically about improving our electoral system: making it efficient and making it up to date in terms of uptake of technology. At the end of the day, we expect effective, efficient and very credible elections if we implement these faithfully. Being a country that comes from a background of suspicion and so on, it is really imperative, and this is a responsibility of every player in this electoral process--- We have been told time and again that even the political players are stakeholders, and it is up to them to also lower their rhetoric around elections. The bottom line is this: Looking at where we were in 2007, we did a lot of improvement to the electoral system through the Constitution. Even when we did elections in 2013, it is the constraint of time that caused the problem we experienced, otherwise we had attempted to computerise, especially the biometric system we had brought on board. What we lacked in 2013 is the transmission aspect, which failed because of the kind of equipment we had acquired. We have seen one of the sides to the system, and I believe it is the Opposition, even when they participate in the electoral system, even in the revitalisation of the institution, they still insist time and again on challenging and questioning the implementation process. This is to a point where the country begins to wonder whether there is genuine commitment to facilitate the institution set up by the Constitution to perform its responsibilities as given by the Constitution. I am very sure that if these regulations are properly followed as we have enacted them, there is clear commitment by the IEBC. This is particularly bearing in mind the possible precedent sent by the way the country has treated previous holders of these offices – worst of all was the Kivuitu Commission which received clear approval just around November, 2007, only for it to be vilified and even expelled from office without the benefit of their terminal dues. As a country we are not doing ourselves any good when we treat fellow Kenyans like that just because they have served in these offices. It is not always that the elections are stolen. Indeed, by capturing the biometric data system, those who were able to follow what the voter registration was after biometric voter registration and those who were used to the practice of ballot stuffing--- We saw some numbers dramatically reducing in some places. Even as we speak, we know the registration that has taken place so far will be verified. That is very okay. There will be voter inspection, which is part of 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."
}