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{
    "id": 932500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/932500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 182,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Hon. Members, I have listened to the request of the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, as well as the comments and observations made by other Senators who have intervened following the request by the said Chairperson. The Chairperson wishes that the Committee Report be stood down for further stakeholder consultations. I would like to ask you to avoid the politics around the subject matter and go straight to the substance and the merits of the issue. The matter of this Report is about an amendment to the Constitution with regard to fully respecting one of the most fundamental paradigm shifts in our legal system, namely; respecting the equality of representation between men and women in our country. This is not a matter that has been brought to the attention of the country today. It is a matter which we have struggled with. It took years and decades and a lot of effort by women and men leaders who believe in equality between men and women. It is not even a Kenyan issue; it is an international one. Further, it is not a light matter. In fact, I dare say that Kenya is one of the countries that have made significant progress towards making it easier for women to participate. I am not saying that Kenya has done enough; in fact, on the contrary, we have a lot of ground to cover. I just wanted to bring out to you, hon. Senators, how contentious, difficult and complex this matter is. Secondly, I also want to bring to your attention, hon. colleagues, that one of the important principles in our new constitutional order is, as much as possible, the principle of consultation and public participation in legislative making. This is so that we carry the country or those who are affected by that legislation on board, unlike in the past when a few people would sit in Parliament, men in those days, and make a legislative enactment without caring about the views of the public. Therefore, once again, we must celebrate our Constitution for making it possible for the process of legislation to be as consultative so that you carry the society along."
}