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{
    "id": 739674,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/739674/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 158,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Okoth",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12482,
        "legal_name": "Kenneth Odhiambo Okoth",
        "slug": "kenneth-odhiambo-okoth"
    },
    "content": "in the gazette. That is a much dangerous way to go. Putting all these powers in the hands of an appeals board that will basically be appointed purely by the CS versus an appeals board that is more independent and more varied is dangerous. Look at an appeals board that has a representative from the KNCHR, NCIC, it is more specific. It even includes, although they cannot vote, a representative of the UNHCR. Remember I mentioned in my point before that for a long time, the UNHCR has been doing refugee status determination for Kenya which was fine when we did not have capacity, but as a matter of sovereignty, let us make sure that we are determining refugee status and when it comes to appeals and protecting rights and meeting our international obligations, let us put a member of the UNHCR who cannot vote, but advises that appeals board. Again, I kindly beg, hope, appeal and persuade the Chairman to let us have, from a human rights angle, this appeals board to be a real independent one rather than a committee simply constituted by the CS through a simple notice in the gazette and its membership being very vague. Among persons having knowledge of and experience in matters relating to refugee affairs, immigration, foreign affairs, national security and public administration, these could be all people from one branch of the Government or even from one department. The proposal from Hon. Aghostinho helps us to take Kenya to the next level of countries that are really serious about proper management of refugee affairs."
}