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{
    "id": 740658,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/740658/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "I keep quoting the Rwanda situation where there was genocide. When President Kagame decided to have more women in Government, there has been peace and a lot of progress. This is because women tend to be more peaceful than men and it is easier to carry out certain assignments through women. You will find that even in the places we come from, the churches are for all. But many times when we go to churches or religious places, you will mostly find women. That is why there has been a lot of peace in those churches until they get invaded by some men who are out to divide the church. This Bill takes into account the issues that were not foreseen during the time of making the Constitution. There are a number of issues that arose because of the time that was taken and the kind of pulling from both sides and the competition that was there when the Constitution was being drafted and written. I remember when the Constitution was being passed in Parliament, we could not debate it. We said that Members of Parliament passed the Constitution the way it was. We just passed it the way it was because there were so many vested interests pulling in different directions. Now that minds have settled, it is the right time for this to be brought up. There were contentious issues and this one was among them. It is a good time for it to be debated when Kenyans are sober in their thinking. The most important thing is that we should take care of the proportions as has been said. Article 90(2)(c) of the Constitution says: “Except in the case of county assembly seats, each party list reflects the regional and ethnic diversity of the people of Kenya.” This is a very important one but we have not been able to adhere to it even in the positions we have taken, leave alone the issue of women. Even in the issue of appointment of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries in Government, this has not been adequately adhered to. This is what sometimes causes the division and animosity we have in our campaigns. Those are some of the issues that bring about a lot of hostilities. Those who are campaigning for different positions, even the presidential ticket, do not have any idea about what the country should be like. They campaign in different directions because some of the aspects which were in the Constitution have not been adhered to. It is important that as we talk about the gender rule, we must also think about the regional and ethnic diversity. Kenya thrives on taxation. Apart from income tax, which those who earn a salary pay, the rest of the people pay a lot in terms of VAT - that is 16 per cent. It is a big proportion of the revenue that the Government collects. Because of that, each part of the country deserves to be served in the way that is contemplated and expected by Kenyans who live everywhere in the country. Once this is done, I am sure it will be easier for everybody to be taken on board. It will be easier for every Kenyan to feel a sense of belonging. That is why it is important that such a Bill is debated and everybody is made aware of what is happening. With those few remarks, I support the Bill. 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."
}