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{
    "id": 769954,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/769954/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 177,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First, let me commend this Joint Committee of both the National Assembly and the Senate for expediting this matter of nominees to EALA and filtering those who applied for these positions. We all note the importance of the EALA. This process has brought to light certain concerns. Before I get to those concerns, I note and congratulate in advance all those who have been nominated. I see a number of young people who have made it to the list. Whether or not they make it through the elections is another issue, but this is a good spirit. Of course, we can see who has nominated more young people than the other. But I am glad to see people, starting with Musyoka Kalonzo Kennedy at 31years of age being nominated. I really do hope he will get through - I am not campaigning for him. We also have Florence Chematia who is 37 years old and Elizabeth Wangui who is 30 years old. If the thoughts around the EALA are to go on for generations to come, it will be important that EALA is not seen as a retirement home for former legislators. It should not become a place for retirement, but where serious legislation and the true spirit of the East African Community can then be prosecuted by those we choose to go to represent us. I am glad to see Doris Ndonya at 35years. I saw somebody else in their 30s who has been nominated as well. I will support them not just because they are young - we do not advocate for leadership on the basis of age - but because for us to keep this dream alive, we will need to have a sense of continuity within EALA. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in other parts of the world where we have similar blocs for political or economic integration, these issues are taken more seriously than we do. Today, if you walk outside there, get the first ordinary Kenyan you meet and ask them about EALA and if they are aware of the elections, they will tell you that they have no idea. If you go to Europe, the Members of the European Parliament are actually voted for directly by the people of Europe. So, apart from the constraint that we already have overburdened elections in this country with six ballots; we should move to the level where Kenyans choose whom they want to go and represent them at the apex legislative assembly of the region. If we move down the road of real economic and political integration, that choice must be made by the people. However, our Constitution is clear and delegated responsibility rests with us. It then begs the question: What is the true test of the people we are choosing to go there? We do not afford them an opportunity officially as Parliament to express themselves to the entire electorate, which is us, or even set aside a day where possibly all of those who have been nominated can come and get five minutes each to say what their thoughts are about the EALA, the East African Community and their experience. However, we further delegate that responsibility to a smaller Committee to filter out. Apart from looking at technicalities, they also look at suitability. Thereafter, all that is left is them bumping into you at tea time to give you a small card saying: “Please, vote for me.” We are doing a great disservice to the East African Community. What objective criteria do we use to vote in people? You will find Members voting for people just The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}