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{
    "id": 838533,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/838533/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 200,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD – K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "Lawyers (FIDA) and all the key stakeholders were invited. Now, 80 per cent of them supported that the election date must be moved from August to December. This is a matter that will be decided upon. This Bill had also come up during the last Parliament and we only lacked six Members to meet the two-thirds requirement. Relying on Standing Order No. 53, which Hon. Washiali wanted to raise, we want to defer putting of the Question until we ascertain that we meet the two- thirds requirement. Members should be able to claim a division. Hon. Members who are here will look at the Report and make informed decision. As an MP, mine is to bring Bills and we legislate on them. This is the property of the House. In the long run it is you parliamentarians to decide because the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs’ Report indicates that 80 per cent of Kenyans would rather have the election dates changed from August to December. Having the election in August normally affects the academic calendar. In any case, we use schools as polling centres. Secondly, with the East African Community, we have a requirement that we read our budgets in July and during that particular time Members of Parliament will be campaigning. We will not get quorum. These are the same reasons that were given last time and so I am calling upon the Hon. Members that as we defer this to the appropriate time, come and decide. You have the mandate. It is you to decide one way or another. If you settle on either August or December, it is okay but this is not a referendum issue because it is within the fifth year. We are not extending the term of the President. I want that to be very clear so that we can make an informed decision when we come back to vote. I thank you and reply."
}