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{
    "id": 838494,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/838494/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 161,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dadaab, KANU",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mohamed Duale",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1377,
        "legal_name": "Mohamed Dahir Duale",
        "slug": "mohamed-dahir-duale"
    },
    "content": " Thank you Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Motion. The same Motion was brought by Hon. Ochieng in the last Parliament. Because it affects the Constitution, we failed to pass it by a small number. I still think this is a valid Motion because it has also been approved by the House Business Committee (HBC). That is why we are discussing it. I support it for four reasons. One, the election cycle in this country takes five years. During those five years, in the last year, this matter will be affecting the Budget cycle. In order to be in line with the Budget cycle of this country, I support the change of the election date from August to December. The second reason is the school or education cycle in this country. We have three holidays in the country for students – particularly primary and secondary schools. The longest holiday cycle is in November, December and early January. By having the date of the election in December, it will not in any way affect the school calendar. That is an appropriate time for everybody in this country. The number of children who go to school in this country is high. This is a matter which affects many Kenyans. If the date is changed to December, many parents, including ourselves, will not be affected by the election. The third reason as to why I support this Bill is because of the holiday season and the festivity. In this country, we have the holiday season in December. There is Christmas, New Year and so on. Many people have an opportunity to be with their relatives back at home. I think we can increase our voter turnout. Many people can vote at home and also be part of the people who do not miss their votes. The other reason as to why I support this Bill relates to pastoralists. In the north and the North Eastern regions of Kenya, August is a dry season. Many pastoralists may not be at their known abode. If elections are held in December, the pastoralist community will be where they are supposed to be, they will have plenty of pasture and water, and therefore, they can participate in elections."
}