verbatim report of constituency public hearings ... - ConstitutionNet

34Com. Bishop Njoroge: Let me tell you. What we want is points. We do not want you to go into details. Only the points thatwill go into the Constitution.Engineer James Gachegu: Yes, Mr. Chairman, it is my view that we should maintain the current separation of powers in thestructure of the government. Let it have an independent Judiciary, independent Executive and independent Legislature. But myviews will be particularly on the Legislature because it is through the Legislature that the views of the ordinary mwananchi findexpression. I do believe that If we are able to strengthen the institution of the Legislature, we should be able to have most of theviews of the members of the public find expression in the day to day running of the government.With this then, I do propose that one of the areas where we have had a problem is sometimes in the quality of the members ofthe August House. To that end, I propose that we should insist on a minimum standard of education. This standard Mr.Chairman is not so that you create a cadre of different people in the country. This is because to understand some of theintricacies that ……Com. Bishop Njoroge: Mr. Engineer I am going to stop you. You are now telling us many things. If you want to suggestminimum education. Say, either Form 4 or graduate, don’t tell us the reasons why you want to do it. Because all these peopleknow. So, I want you to say in point form. If you want MP to be form four. If you want the President to be University. Givethat...Okay.Engineer James Gachegu: Point taken.Com. Bishop Njoroge: Because there are so many people here and we do not want them to go without talking.Engineer James Gachegu: I take your point Chairman and to that end, I propose that those vying as members of Parliamentshould have a minimum of first degree from one of Kenya’s public Universities or any other recognized Universities. I do alsopropose that to enable members of Parliament to work because that is an area where we have had a problem, we should putprovision where members of Parliament are facilitated at the Constituency with offices well equipped with all the necessaryequipment i.e. Computers, Fax systems, Phones e.t.c. I also propose that they should also have similar offices in Nairobi toenable them to turn the deliberations of the August House into reality. I also do propose Mr. Chairman, that we have hadincidents where members of Parliament have lost their lives in various circumstances. I do propose that it is essential that they beprovided with an armed driver/bodyguard. They should be provided with armed security both at their rural residences and intheir Nairobi houses.The other point I propose is that given the nature of the work they have to do, it is important that these members be men ofunquestionable integrity. I propose that they should be free of any criminal condition from a court of competent jurisdiction-Butthey should be barred purely because of miscellaneous things like that. I do also propose-this point Mr. Chairman I must make