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{
    "id": 763028,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/763028/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 259,
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    "content": "We had sections of the political divide asking their supporters not to come to engage in public participation which is one of the principles and values under Article 10 of the Constitution. I am glad that they did not heed those calls. Many members of the public even those who opposed the Bill came before us and gave us ideas and even some who went to the extent of designing their own version of what Form 34A would look like. The high level of participation was just credence to the fact that this is a matter that is close to the hearts of Kenyans. We want to thank them and we are glad that we were able to incorporate a lot of the views. The Bill as it has been passed today is significantly different from how it had been published initially; the National Assembly Bill as well the Senate Bill. That is because we were able to take into cognizance the views of Kenyans of all different shades of political belief and persuasion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not think one can say enough times that the Members of NASA have done a great disservice to this country. This is because it is at times like this that leadership is required. Even opposing and disagreeing is leadership. They had all the opportunities to present themselves before the Committee or to be part of the Committee to begin with and to bring amendments. You can see the level of what the Senate Leader of Majority called hypocrisy, in that some of the Members proposed amendments, but did not show up to prosecute them. History will judge them in the manner that it should because at this time when this country needed clarity in terms of our election laws; direction in terms of how to implement and especially after the Supreme Court ruling, there was one side which was absent. I would like to urge all those commentators out there, especially the international community, who kept saying that this process required a bipartisan approach, to take note of who left the scene when bipartisan discussions were required. We were available and waiting for them. However, they denied this country a chance to have bipartisan engagements on this very important law. I would also like to reiterate to Kenyans that the election is on the 26th October 2017. We have heard that certain candidates said that they have withdrawn, but they have not filled in the requisite form to withdraw. That smacks of complete mischief on their part. The elections will be on. The elections do not make it mandatory for any particular individual to be on the ballot. This country must move on. I am glad that today, pursuant to even what we discussed yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, has brought a very clear distinction of what the law provides for when it comes to freedom of expression and picketing; and what is just criminal mobilization. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in this city of Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa, I will not speak on behalf of the other Senators or other counties, we will not allow criminal elements masquerading as Kenyans exercising their right to rob people and destroy property in the name of demonstrations. We will not allow it in Nairobi County. I hope they are listening. I would like to tell them to try us. In this city, we have said enough is enough. We will not allow another young person to be harassed, another woman to be harassed or another businessman to have to close his business because of demonstrations. Everyone, no matter what their shade of particular persuasion, wants the same thing out of their"
}