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{
    "id": 945020,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/945020/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 88,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Gichugu, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gichimu Githinji",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13341,
        "legal_name": "Robert Gichimu Githinji",
        "slug": "robert-gichimu-githinji"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this opportunity to also support this Bill. I start by thanking the Committee led by Hon. Kioni for the good work. We need to define special interest groups. If you look at Clause 10, people who are referred to as special interest groups are supposed to be facilitated even in campaigns, capacity building and civic education and that includes what we are calling marginalised communities. So, before we even pass this law so that these special interest groups can be supported, we must also look at the issue of discrimination which is also a pertinent issue in the Constitution, so that we do not have people who are capable, just because they come from so-called marginalised communities, being supported against or at the disadvantage of other communities. When it comes to defining the term “marginalised communities”, it is very important to also define marginalisation in economic perspectives. You will find that most of the constituencies in the central region, especially Gichugu where I come from and Mwea have very high populations and economically these constituencies are also disadvantaged when it comes to sharing the national resources. So, that is also a part of marginalisation that we should be looking at vis-à-vis marginalisation to the extent of the areas that are arid or areas that do not have fertile agricultural land. That is what has been the perception. When it comes to the Political Parties Act, I really support where PWDs are supposed to be facilitated. Capacity building has to be done because this is a group that has been a bit left behind. We should be very careful and considerate about PWDs in this country. This Bill also seeks to propel women to reach to levels that they have always wished. At the same time, we should look at the issue of support to the special interest groups holistically so that we also do not offend the Constitution in matters discrimination. The Bill restricts us to debate only issues of representation in Parliament. I believe an amendment needs to be done so that we also cover county assemblies. A county assembly, by definition, is not a Parliament. Hon. Speaker, because there is too much interest to contribute to this Bill, I rest my submissions. I support the Bill with amendments at a later stage. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}