{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138999","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138997","results":[{"id":1406391,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406391/?format=json","text_counter":317,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Omboko Milemba","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":{"id":13328,"legal_name":"Jeremiah Omboko Milemba","slug":"jeremiah-omboko-milemba"},"content":" Hon. Orero."},{"id":1406392,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406392/?format=json","text_counter":318,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kibra, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Peter Orero","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this chance also to contribute on the amendments to the IEBC (Amendment) Bill. As a country, we have come from far since Independence. We must retrace our steps. Long time ago, we did not have commissioners. We were a single-party state but when we changed to a multi-party democracy, people realised that we needed to have a democratic space in this country. From that time, as a country, we thought that we needed to have commissioners with integrity. This Bill has come about because of the last general election, and every other year that we have had an election, we always have issues with how the elections are conducted. We cannot refuse to take cognisance of the fact that the composition of the commissioners came as a result of the NADCO Report. Initially, the ruling Government had decided that the commissioners would be appointed with or without the other side of the Government, but because of the serious conflict that came after the elections, it was only necessary that this country comes together and brings out formalities and modalities of choosing new commissioners. I suggest that the term limit of the commissioners be five years because they undergo a very vigorous process during voting. I think this is the only country in the world that has very many features in our ballot papers during elections. We also have our fingerprints verified during elections. We take this election so seriously that this country puts a lot of resources into ensuring that our elections are free and fair, which has never been so. As parliamentarians, we are here as a product of the elections. Nobody can come to this august House without going through elections. Therefore, it is our singular responsibility to ensure that those who are nominated as commissioners carry themselves with a lot of integrity and patriotism. I am happy that we have allowed Members of the selection panel to be increased from seven to nine. This will ensure that we have broad-based personalities to choose high ranking Kenyans with better credentials, to conduct our elections in the near future. I am also happy that both sides of Parliament; the Majority and Minority have been included as part and parcel of the selection panel. This will ensure that the right personnel are nominated as commissioners so that future general elections are conducted in a free and conducive environment. This reminds me that the nominated commissioners should ensure that our elections are free and fair. Also, they should carry out audits immediately after elections are done, but the time for appeal if the elections are not done properly, has always been very limited. I remember last time we were struggling to avail documentation within one week or so. We need to push the time limit for appeals so that those who want to appeal can have enough time and judgment is done appropriately. Not the way it has been previously done. Again, I am happy that this Bill talks about the conduct of the CEO of IEBC. Before, the CEO had more powers than commissioners. So, we need to look at the powers of the CEO, commissioners and chairperson of IEBC. This will ensure that we do not have conflict of interest. As a country, we need to move from where we are and gain a more democratic space. So, we can carry out elections and review boundaries of our constituencies in a more amicable way. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"},{"id":1406393,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406393/?format=json","text_counter":319,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kibra, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Peter Orero","speaker":null,"content":"Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support this Bill and hope that all my colleagues will support it."},{"id":1406394,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406394/?format=json","text_counter":320,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Omboko Milemba","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":{"id":13328,"legal_name":"Jeremiah Omboko Milemba","slug":"jeremiah-omboko-milemba"},"content":" Very well. Hon. Naomi Waqo."},{"id":1406395,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406395/?format=json","text_counter":321,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to this very important debate on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 10 of 2024). It is now over one year since the last commissioners vacated office and the gap is so huge because we had so many things that needed to be done within the past two years after the last elections. We have lost some Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and many counties and wards are looking forward to having a replacement of the people who transited. We have also lost a Member of Parliament and his constituents are eagerly waiting because a gap remained and they are not receiving the services they ought to receive. I support this Bill because it is the only way we can get qualified commissioners in place so that Kenya can progress because in the past other chairpersons like Issack Hassan and Wafula Chebukati and their teams have faced a lot of challenges. After every election, Kenyans get passionate and do many things with a lot of energy. They have not had peace to do their work. If we give all the attention that this Bill deserves, we will have in place people who are qualified and ones who would give service to our country. I support this because the issue of reconstitution of the IEBC is a matter of national importance. We seriously need our commissioners in place so that we can progress in different ways. I support this Bill because we will put into consideration the critical function of IEBC under Article 88 of the Constitution 2010. We cannot afford not to have an IEBC in place anymore. We are almost halfway. We are done with our second year and getting into our third year. After this, preparation for the next elections should start. If we are not careful, we will have a lot of work that has not been attended to and our commissioners will be harassed at the end of the day. We cannot afford to waste any more time. The Bill proposes amendments to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act to increase the number of members of the selection panel from seven to nine. This is very important because number seven somehow limits it. Therefore, by adding the two to get nine members for the representation, a wide spectrum of stakeholders and taking care of different groups, will satisfy many people. As we all know, Kenyans have a lot of interest in this commission. Everybody is keen, and even when it comes to application, thousands of people would apply. So, when we take into consideration the methods that will guide us get qualified people, we would be doing the right thing. It is proposed that two persons representing the majority or coalition of parties be nominated by the Parliamentary Service Commission. This would confirm that our interest too, would be taken care of. Also, there should be three persons nominated by the Political Parties Liaison Committee of which, one shall be from a party other than parliamentary or a coalition party not forming the national government, and every interest shall be taken care of. I strongly support this, including the third person nominated by the Law Society of Kenya. This excites me because even the Law Society of Kenya will have a representation and give their input as the process goes on so that we have the right people in place. One person nominated by the Institution of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya is another important area. The input of this qualification will bring a big benefit to the entire nation. Finally, two persons be nominated by the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya. We know very well their role in this country. We are the way we are because of prayers and our religious leaders have always led us in prayers. They have always prayed for this nation and the heavy rains that we are experiencing now is also as a result of prayers. To have this representation will enhance the work of the commission. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"},{"id":1406396,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406396/?format=json","text_counter":322,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support this because the selection panel shall finalise the recruitment exercise within 90 days. This limitation is very good because the panel would have finished what they are supposed to do and give their results so that Kenyans can move on. This again will take care of our interests. It confirms that the panel will be dissolved thereafter. That means they will handover after they put in place their commissioners and the panel will be dissolved."},{"id":1406397,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406397/?format=json","text_counter":323,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"In terms of time management, 90 days is quite good and I believe that this work will be finished within those days. I support this because the Bill proposed amendments to Section 6 of the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) Act to include experience in information and communication technology and accounting as professional qualifications. This is very important because when it comes to counting the votes and putting into consideration the many things that happen, this particular qualification among the many qualifications is quite important. Well qualified people should be considered and they will guide this nation to another level."},{"id":1406398,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406398/?format=json","text_counter":324,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"Additionally, the Bill seeks to ensure that IEBC is efficient in the manner in which it performs its functions. That is all we need as a nation. The Bill has proposed amendments to the IEBC Act to provide that the Commission shall after every general election review its operations and make necessary changes. As we know very well, after every election Kenya gets into a crisis mode. Supporters or electorates move on roads to demonstrate and picket. This will help the commissioners to sit and reason out to see where the gaps are and correct for the future. It is also very important to do that."},{"id":1406399,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406399/?format=json","text_counter":325,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Temporary Speaker, the other issue that the Bill is proposing is that once the IEBC is constituted, it shall look into the issues of boundaries and delimitation as provided for in Article 89. We have had issues to do with conflicts and this boundary delimitation needs to be given a lot of attention."},{"id":1406400,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406400/?format=json","text_counter":326,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Marsabit County, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Naomi Waqo","speaker":null,"content":"I support the Bill. It is my prayer that soon…"}]}