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{
    "id": 777906,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/777906/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "boundary affirmation, where we confirm boundaries. We might not have disputes in some areas, so let us not restrict this Bill only to alterations. Let us also expand it to include confirmation so that if we have an area where there is no dispute, then let us confirm it as such. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Constitution has also given us a provision where we can use traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. We should also consider that option instead of just focusing on the Mediation Committee alone. Let us also allow traditional methods of mediation and dispute resolution, because it is provided for under the National Land Commission in the Constitution. So, we can expand that to include the traditional means of dispute resolution on land matters. Madam Temporary Speaker, I am particularly happy with this provision that says that we cannot change the boundaries 12 months prior to an election. I say this because I had an experience in 2013 which ran almost up to 2017. Two very heavily populated polling stations in Kajiado North Constituency were actually shifted from Kajiado North to Kajiado West just to alter that boundary for purposes of political interest. For me, that provision will serve us well. I do not know whether 12 months is good enough – but public participation can also enlighten us on this. This is because we do not want people to change boundaries for their political interests. Instead, boundaries should be changed for the interest of the citizens. Madam Temporary Speaker, I am sorry because I have to give examples from Kajiado. This is because that is where I am familiar with cases of boundary problems. Namanga, which is just next to Kajiado town, was at one point in Kajiado South in Loitokitok. But because of politics, the Namanga Division was shifted to Kajiado Central and it is no longer in Kajiado South. So, you can imagine who took it to Kajiado South and how it was brought back. For purposes of constituency and voting, it was now brought back to Kajiado Central. So, that gap between the time of election and the time of alteration will help us not to have people doing the wrong thing just for their own benefit. Madam Temporary Speaker, in conclusion, this is a sensitive topic for which we need to do very elaborate public participation for people to have a say in it. This will ensure that we do not end up being the Senate that is going to raise conflicts between our counties. Of course, we need to know that as we go by, we have fraudulent boundaries – like the ones in Kajiado – and also those that are not fraudulent. So, we need to conduct extensive research for us to find out whether we want to go back to the original boundaries; whether we want to identify the fraudulent boundaries or whether or not to leave the people as they are and just to confirm the area they are living in for the sake of peace. With those amendments, I beg support."
}