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{
    "id": 770825,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/770825/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 61,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Baya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13373,
        "legal_name": "Owen Yaa Baya",
        "slug": "owen-yaa-baya"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand to support this Motion. I would also like to congratulate the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee that did this job and I think they did a fantastic Report which was very detailed. We understood a lot of things that came out of the Report. It is important at this time to realise that Kenya has been delaying the EALA process. And I think to do justice to the other Members of the region, we really need to hasten this matter and put our team there so that the interests of Kenyans are taken care of. Having come from the Coast, we have a lot of interest in EALA because we share a border with Tanzania and a lot of these protocols that have been going through the EALA Assembly affect us and also the trade that goes on there. As Kenyans, we have done our part. I think the road to Taveta is now very good. Tanzanians have been complaining but we now have a marvellous road there that can make trade easy. The people of the Coast have immensely benefited from the protocols that have gone through EALA and, therefore, for me I would really support that tomorrow we select a team of ladies and gentlemen that will give Kenya its rightful place within the EALA. The Committee did a very good job in terms of regional balancing. However, this regional balancing is likely to be distorted here in the Assembly. Looking at the names that were given, I think the National Super Alliance (NASA) Coalition balanced the regions and at least gave one person from each region opportunity. As we vote, I just hope that Members will also look at that regional balancing that was maintained by the Committee and also maintain it within the Assembly so that we do not have Members from one region going to EALA. Hon. Speaker, I have seen the way the campaign has been going on as we took tea. There are very strong candidates that would come from one region and end up in EALA. That will be very unfair. I do not know the wisdom of the Hon. Speaker in guiding this process so that we attain regional balance. Secret ballot is not guided democracy. We need guided democracy in this matter to ensure that the region I come from also has a Member within EALA because of the interests the Coast region has within EALA. Looking at the way the campaigns are going on, I am scared that my region may not be represented. That will make me a very sad person. I call upon the Members of this House to look into that important aspect. I have heard the names being fronted by both NASA and Jubilee coalitions. Regions that are very important within the EALA concept might be left out. Therefore, as I support this Motion, I would urge that we elect serious candidates. However, we should be careful not to throw away through the 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."
}