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{
    "id": 762665,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/762665/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1160,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Nyamai",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1979,
        "legal_name": "Rachael Kaki Nyamai",
        "slug": "rachael-kaki-nyamai"
    },
    "content": "unfortunate that I am not able to identify the new members because they are still new, but I can tell that they are really NASA, and that they are willing to support the amendment laws for the sake of the country. As I said, the proposed amendments will give continuity to the IEBC. As I said, it is a bit worrying to have to keep on checking how the IEBC Chair is doing. These amendments give us an opportunity to identify another person who will perform the duties of the Chair of the IEBC, in his absence. Therefore, the amendment gives continuity and ensures that there is no lacuna or vacuum in the law. Also, changing this law ensures proper representation. We cannot always have all the commissioners present. The amendment has very clearly stipulated quorum for debating matters at the IEBC. It is good that they did not give a specific number; they just said half of the membership. This makes a lot of sense. This is also in line with Article 250 of the Constitution. I can see that the Committee was very much aware of that. They have said that they should not be less than three and they should not be more than nine. That means they read widely and applied the law appropriately. I have heard many people, especially from the other side, where I do not belong--- I am very happy not to belong to that side because it is very difficult to live your life. You cannot be able to express your opinion. You must be told what to say, when to come to the House and even what to read. The amendment on Clause 5 benefits both NASA and Jubilee coalitions. We are being given an opportunity to allow any person to participate in an election, including presidential elections. I have just reflected on the meaning of “Ndinda”. Where I come from, many people voted for Dida because that name was being pronounced as “Ndinda” by the election officials who were reading it out to voters who needed assistance. In my community, “Ndinda” is a name of a woman. So, most people would say, “I would like to vote for Ndinda”. I believe that he got so many votes from my area. Clause 5 of the amendment gives a chance to anybody without discrimination to participate in an election, including a presidential election. These amendments, especially Clause 6, make sense. It is the most important when it comes to using technology in elections. It is the most important point that I would like to speak about because we vote manually and we do everything manually. Where I come from, 50 per cent of the people who vote are assisted voters. They do not know that somebody is supposed to sign a form. They do not know that there are forms 34A and 34B. They do not know that the forms have a watermark. They do not even know how results are transmitted, but the presidential election results of 8th August were nullified based on a process. Clause 6 says that the results shall be physically delivered. I think it is important because we know very well that technology fails. It has failed before. It can fail now and it will definitely fail in the future. This is a very important amendment for our people. The same clause also talks about verification. It was a shame to notice that there were documents which were clearly wrong, and the IEBC officials did not verify the changes that may have been made by individuals either by making a mistake or deliberately. It is important that people are forced to verify information that has been recorded, and also ensure that, as that information reaches the constituency tallying centres, Kenyans get updated on how the elections are going. It is important. This is a very important amendment. It is worth being put in the law. Matters of procedure are in Clause 9. It is a shame that a matter of procedure can bring about cancellation of an election. That is what we saw. We have already seen the impact of this within our streets, where we have people running around. I saw a picture today in the newspaper 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."
}