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{
    "id": 838413,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/838413/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 80,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Homa Bay Town, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Peter Kaluma",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1565,
        "legal_name": "George Peter Opondo Kaluma",
        "slug": "george-peter-opondo-kaluma"
    },
    "content": "fact, for us who lost some months in the last Parliament, this will compensate. This should not be the only reason for supporting this Bill. This issue, to me is very simple. By moving the election date to December by dint of this constitutional amendment proposed on the Floor, is it not real that we are going to interfere with the term of office of the President? Remember the term of office of the President is tied to the term of office of Members of Parliament. In fact, they walk together. If we are going to alter the term of office of the President, then, is this then a matter we can legislate a constitutional amendment without a referendum? I know in terms of initiation, it can be done, but we need to alert the Mover of the Bill that even if we pass it, this is a matter that subsequent to this parliamentary process will automatically go for a referendum under the relevant provisions which are clear. We are going to extend the term of office of both the President and Parliament and this is a matter the Constitution requires a referendum over. Hon. Deputy Speaker, with all those comments, I thank you and urge Members to oppose this Bill. The setting of election date in the Bomas process, and those who attended like Hon. Maanzo and Hon. Otiende Amollo will tell you, was a very serious matter. Lastly, there is the major issue as to why we settled for August. For urban populations in the country, we have a situation where in December they move to their upcountry homes. For instance, if you are a resident of Nairobi, other people elect for you the representative you will be returning from upcountry to live under. We were contemplating a situation where people take elections seriously and participate to be served by leaders they elect. Not that they go somewhere, impose a leader and then go and live under a leader also elected by people in an election they did not participate in. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, I oppose this Bill."
}