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{
    "id": 685657,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/685657/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 290,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Keynan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 41,
        "legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
        "slug": "adan-keynan"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I am an expert and student of International Relations. Whatever I say is something which is properly weighed, considered and understood. Kenya is a leading diplomatic hub in this region. I can proudly commend former President Moi for the part he played in the realisation of the lasting peace that led to the birth of the youngest state in Africa. To that extent, I am proudly indebted to the former of President and the people of Kenya for the commitment, resources and time. Logically, because we contributed emotionally, financially, spiritually, economically and militarily, we should have been the first beneficiary of the economic gains accruing from the newly independent state of South Sudan. If we tarmacked the Lodwar-Lokichogio-Juba Road, it would have opened up that part of Kenya that has been neglected for so many years. I said that Ugandans did their part. We must be prepared to jealously at all times promote, project and protect the image of Kenya as an independent and sovereign state. We must work towards realising that particularly objective as the duly elected representatives of the people of Kenya. Pursuant to Article 1 of our Constitution, our diplomatic modus operandi has changed. The rules of the game have changed. We are no longer interested in political ideologies and conspiracy. We are interested in economic diplomacy because it will benefit the people of Kenya. This should be the emphasis because we need jobs. Engagement and promotion of economic of diplomacy will address the well-being of the people of Kenya. Students of International Relations will agree with me that economic diplomacy is the essence of international relations in all spheres of governance structures. We are no longer interested in the political ideologies of communism and capitalism. We should be concerned about the opportunities that our foreign relation contacts give us in terms of the economic well-being of the citizens of Kenya. That should be the essence of our diplomatic engagement with other actors. That is why today we can have diplomatic engagements with Cuba, South Korea and China. How do we benefit from such relationships? International Relations is no longer about belonging to ideological blocs and allied or non-allied movements, based on petty and parochial politics. That era is gone. We are now talking about promotion and protection of regional blocs. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I alluded to the fact that Kenya is not an ordinary nation. It pains me to see individuals who do not understand the essence of the Kenyan people coming out to soil our name. We are rated as the fourth most corrupt nation in the world. It is not me who authored that report. I am not sure whether it is right or wrong. It pains me to see Kenya tagged alongside failed states. Because we have been entrusted with the leadership of this House, I do not want this Report to go to the archives. This Report was an outright threat. The Members of the Committee, including the Leader of the Minority Party, went out of their way to come up with this beautiful Report. 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."
}