Wakoli Bifwoli

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 1071 to 1080 of 1333.

• 29 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, these are civil cases. In civil cases, there is always that option to try and explore possibilities of an amicable settlement. In other words, to enter into negotiations, without prejudice, to try to see whether an amicable settlement can be reached which is also fair to the Government. The Government is always open in that regard to explore those possibilities if approached by the applicants. view
• 28 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Questioner is a Member of the Multisectoral Constitutional Forum, which is chaired by His Excellency the Vice- President and Minister for Home Affairs. The Constitutional Amendment Bill which was forwarded to my office, was considered and returned to the forum together with a number of comments on where we felt it fell short and some of the difficulties of the provisions of that Bill, apart from refining it. It was sent back through the Clerk of the National Assembly. In the letter that forwarded the Bill, we also pointed out that the Attorney-General is ... view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) Yes, I am aware. (b) For certificates to be granted to such customary law marriages, they require an Act of Parliament. The Attorney-General initiated the process by appointing a task force to review laws relating to women. That task force recommended a Marriage Bill that will enable certificates to be granted to customary law marriages. Thereafter, the Attorney-General directed the Kenya Law Reform Commission to draft the Marriage Bill. The Attorney-General is pleased to inform this august House that the Kenya Law Reform Commission has finalised drafting the Marriage Bill. That draft ... view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will hasten the process. That is why I have told this House that I hope it will be possible. But I will definitely publish the Bill before the end of the year. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: First of all, let me state that customary law marriages are recognised under our laws. In fact, maybe, I would prefer to be married under the customary law because it may permit me to--- That is because that marriage would be potentially polygamous. Many Members of Parliament here, I think, would prefer such a marriage, which is potentially polygamous. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: But, Mr. Speaker, Sir, having said that, the Attorney-General is the Principal Legal Advisor to the Government. He can only issue a directive when the law now states that the certificates can 3426 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 23, 2007 be issued. Right now, the Judicature is there. In any dispute between a man and wife as to whether or not a marriage exists, the courts could make the necessary decision after evidence has been adduced. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is one of the issues in the Bill. In fact, the recommendation is: There will be a period within which those who are already married can come within the ambit of the Act, when it comes into force. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not up to the Attorney-General to give directives to the administrative officials. It is up to the spouse concerned to adduce evidence before such an official that, indeed, there was a customary law marriage. On adducing the facts and proving that there was a customary law marriage, I am quite sure the officials will make the appropriate decision. If the official does not make any appropriate decision, there are always other avenues of appeal. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, indeed, I confirm that the hon. Member was, indeed, an expert. view
• 23 Aug 2007 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, indeed, I can confirm that if there is one area in which the hon. Member of Parliament - he is a Senior Counsel like me - is expert in, it is the area of customary law marriages. He is really an expert there. So, I would advise all those who have August 23, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3427 problems over it to consult the hon. Member of Parliament. He would know how to expedite the process through the judicial system. As for the other Members of Parliament, what I can tell them is that, I will bring the ... view