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{
"id": 757541,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/757541/?format=api",
"text_counter": 95,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Bowen",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 2256,
"legal_name": "David Kangongo Bowen",
"slug": "david-kangongo-bowen"
},
"content": "independent institutions, and other Government institutions, with some powers. The same Constitution, under Article 1, has given Kenyans their sovereignty, on the basis of which on 8thAugust, 2017, Kenyans went to the ballot and elected their leaders. All of us who are seated in this House went through the same process. Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), Members of Parliament and governors were chosen through the ballot. Our President was also chosen by Kenyans. President Kenyatta was elected by a majority of Kenyans. However, the same Constitution, under Article 40 has given the Supreme Court powers to look into the election process, following a petition challenging the election of a president. The Supreme Court nullified the presidential election. That was the right direction – that whenever anyone is aggrieved or is not contented with anything, he can go to court to contest. As Members of the Jubilee Coalition, we said we did not agree with the Supreme Court ruling but, because we respect the Judiciary and the laws of this country, we respect the ruling. We are ready for the repeat presidential election that the IEBC has slated to take place on 26th October, 2017. It is surprising that the Leader of the Opposition, Raila Odinga, said that even if the national examinations are pushed forward, the candidates who are supposed to sit for national exams during the month of October will not die, as he argued for pushing forward the repeat election date to 23rd or 26th of October. After looking around, the IEBC gave 26th October as the date for the repeat presidential election. Again, the Opposition is saying they are not going to participate in the repeat presidential election. They are seeking for a caretaker government, which is not provided for in the Constitution. They are seeking violent protests on the streets. Yesterday, Mbadi and his group announced that they would have street demonstrations today. Consequently, so many parents did not take their children to school today because they were worried about their safety. They were not sure what would happen. Many parents whose children go to schools located in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, and within the Central Business District (CBD) did not take their children to school. This is not the Kenya we want – where there are demonstrations everyday. Let us respect independent institutions. The Supreme Court nullified the win of President Kenyatta. There is no one who influenced them. The IEBC has fixed a date for the repeat election. We do not want to see any person, especially Members of Parliament of this House who were sworn in, and who were chosen by the people of Kenya, demonstrating on the streets. If you have an issue, go to court. Lastly, it is very embarrassing for Hon. Babu Owino, whose mind, I believe is still in the university, having been there for over 10 years, to be seen on national television calling President Uhuru Kenyatta by that bad name. It is very unfortunate. As Members of Parliament, let us conduct ourselves with decorum. We are asking the security agencies across the country to deal with people who are violating the Constitution, including those who want to interfere with businesses."
}