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{
    "id": 926051,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/926051/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 92,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The reason I am projecting my voice is because I am dressed like a priest and so you might think I am bishop somebody. Having said so, I just wanted to add my voice to this. I was the one who moved the Treaty Making and Ratification Act and I am listening to the Members. I think perhaps what we might need to amend is our memory or our knowledge. The reason I brought the Treaty Making and Ratification Act is when the Constitution was being passed, the judge opposed it based on the fact that they were saying that we will be ratifying treaties without the parliamentary stamp of approval. So, Parliament actually plays a very significant role in treaty making. There is no treaty before it passes the Parliament of Kenya. You cannot talk of a treaty until it passes the Parliament of Kenya according to the Treaty Making and Ratification Act. When it comes here, you have the option to accept, reject or accept with reservations. Therefore, that means that when the relevant Ministry goes back, it will deal according to how Parliament has passed it. If they go against it, it is unlawful, if you go back to Article 2(6) of the Constitution. Sometimes I am shocked. I think the challenge we have in Parliament is that we are passing so many treaties of grave importance to the country but most times there are no people in the House and we are the ones who complain that there are treaties that will be passed in the House without the stamp of approval of Parliament. So, I think what is required of us it to be vigilant as a House. We have a greater role. There are two things that we now have a greater role, according to the Constitution of 2010 which we did not have. These are the budgetary process and the Treaty Making and Ratification Act. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}