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{
    "id": 937842,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/937842/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 390,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": "mechanism? The first element that comes out of it is that at the end of it, when this resolution is done, there is peace. Therefore, peace is the main product of this process. There is no price for peace. If you can create peace in the family, community and regions, where there are quarrels, you would have achieved much, where a court of law may not have the luxury nor the time to go into the details of the things that are being canvassed at that dispute mechanism table. That is one element that must stand out, that this Bill is bringing out quite clearly. As I said, the normal courts will not have the luxury of time to delve into the details of the elements involved. The mediator and the reconciliator must be somebody either from the local level, who is knowledgeable with the issues around there. They must be abreast with the problems that are affecting those communities, families or two parties that are disputing. They must have a full grasp of the knowledge of the events and things that are happening around them. Sometimes, they may fill in where these things are missing in the normal court process. This is because the court process is a procedure, and if you miss one procedure, you are done with it. That is another element that brings comfort to this process. The other element that brings comfort to this process is if there are any economic disputes. In simple trading, back home at the rural level, you will realize that disputes arise out of a matchbox, people being lent money and somebody has not paid. This leads to a quarrel that may result to a fight. It becomes extremely expensive to go to court to recoup the money from the other party. You can actually call two parties, who are honest and sincere, men of dignity and of good standing in society, who can get into this matter and resolve it amicably. He will ask you, “You owe so and so some money. Therefore, pay it in terms of monetary exchange or through a cow for this issue to be resolved.” That way, it becomes very easy to do it. It is not only settling the matter, but you are also reconciling the families and the parties in the trade and those involved in disputes. Therefore, they will not live with a bitter taste in their mouth. They will live happy because this matter has been put to rest. Through this process, we will settle many disputes that may not have been settled through the normal court process. There are major economic issues which need to be settled through this process. For example, there is a dispute between a taxpayer and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The manner in which the taxpayer is being hauled by KRA to courts is wanting. There should be a way of reaching some amicable arrangement on how the taxpayer, a trader, an entrepreneur or a businessman can settle his taxes through the KRA system. Sometimes, they may not have done it in time, there are penalties to it. How can we enable these people to have some arrangements on how to pay taxes so that the Government does not waste money through the court process and time in recouping the taxes that are due to it? We want to see taxpayers being given breathing space, where they can pay taxes without undue pressure and undue interest. I want to talk about the political settlements. The best example is the Post- Election Violence of 2007, which required the Serena Team to resolve. This team was led"
}