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{
"id": 1502242,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let me also add my voice on the State of the Nation Address by the President. Under Article 132 of our Constitution, when the President addresses the nation, he is obligated to give the progress we have made in realising our national values and principles of governance. He also submits a report to Hon. Members on the progress made in fulfilling our international obligations. I will dwell on that issue today. International obligations are fundamental to our nation's ability to secure stability, foster global cooperation and regulate matters of importance. I will speak on global cooperation and secure stability. Hon. Members will recall that when I came to seek permission to send our officers to Haiti, there was a lot of contest from this House. This is because part of Kenya’s foreign policy is security. There was a lot of contestation because of that. As the President mentioned, we are an extremely happy nation today. Having deployed our officers to Haiti, a section of the places that had gangs and their leaders have been completely subdued. As a"
},
{
"id": 1502243,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502243/?format=api",
"text_counter": 160,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": "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": 1502244,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502244/?format=api",
"text_counter": 161,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": "country, we can report today that there is relative peace in Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince which is the capital city. That is part of our obligation. Like the President mentioned, there are mediations and negotiations for different warring groups in Sudan and Southern Sudan. There have been concerted efforts by the Head of State and several actors to see that there is peace within our region. This stamps Kenya's place as an anchor of security within the region. On the ratification of treaties in our Constitution— particularly on Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa's Agenda of 2063 and our engagement internationally— the President reported that we, as a country, are proud to host several United Nations (UN) bodies in this country. We have the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat. This makes Kenya and our capital City, Nairobi, a hub of multilateral diplomacy. On the issue of diplomacy, Kenya continues to have its footprints globally. Today, Kenya hosts 109 embassies and high commissions in Nairobi, alongside 60 UN agencies and 78 international organisations. Hosting all of them is no mean feat. Remember the President mentioned that outside Washington, Kenya hosts a large part of the United Nations bodies in the country which really stamps our authority in diplomacy. Regarding tackling of climate change, last year, during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Kenya championed ambitious energy transition goals which cemented our role further. As a global climate leader, Kenya has aligned these commitments with initiatives such as 200,000 affordable housing units annually under the UN-Habitat. While we have made significant and several treaties that await ratification, we have too many that still await ratification like the Convention on Cluster Munitions which seeks to eliminate harm caused by weapons. Kenya is also in the process of ratifying the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance which is extremely important. You recall that during the demonstrations by the Generation Z, a lot of accusations were made about the disappearances of people, who either had participated in the demonstrations or perceived to have led the demonstrations. Going forward, the President mentioned that it will not be business as usual. As legislators, we await to ratify this very important International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The other very important legislative policy is extrajudicial killings. Between the years 2021and 2022, there were too many reported cases of extrajudicial killings in Kenya. It has become a concern in the country. The ratification of International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance will bring to book all the people who either perpetrate or are actively involved in disappearance of people. That was part of what the President mentioned last week on Thursday. As we reflect on the President’s speech, we recognise Kenya's international obligations are not abstract. They are deeply intertwined with the national interest. They support the economy, protect citizens and enhance our global standing, as we move forward. It is imperative that we remain steadfast. It is also imperative to address the treatment of asylum seekers. Kenya hosts in excess of 760 million refugees. It is considered as a safe haven for people who flee from conflict and persecutions in their countries. However, there are two disturbing cases that have come to my attention, which we must reflect on. In October 2024, Kenya deported four Turkish refugees back to their country after accepting an extradition request from Ankara. Again, in November 2024, a Ugandan opposition leader was reportedly taken from Nairobi and later apprehended in Uganda facing charges, that included possession of illegal firearms. The President mentioned that action should be taken on people who come to Kenya illegally. There is a procedure of extraditing individuals who are believed to have committed crimes in their countries or perceived to intend to commit crimes. As the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on"
},
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"id": 1502245,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502245/?format=api",
"text_counter": 162,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": "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": 1502246,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502246/?format=api",
"text_counter": 163,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, it flies on the face of the statement by the President and the several actors who sent back Dr Besigye. Hon. Deputy Speaker, as a Committee, we will be inviting the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to shed more light on exactly what happened. We want to have Kenya as a country where people who are fleeing persecution are received. People should not be apprehended in a way that contravenes the international laws and treaties that we have signed with other countries. Even though the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has distanced itself from this incident, such incidents are regrettable. This House must endeavour to ensure justice for the victims and ensure Kenya remains consistent with its commitments to protecting asylum seekers and upholding the rule of law. This incident..."
},
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"id": 1502247,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502247/?format=api",
"text_counter": 164,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Complete your sentence."
},
{
"id": 1502248,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502248/?format=api",
"text_counter": 165,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Have I utilised my 10 minutes?"
},
{
"id": 1502249,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502249/?format=api",
"text_counter": 166,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(The Clerk-at-the-Table nodded)"
},
{
"id": 1502250,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502250/?format=api",
"text_counter": 167,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Oh, that was quick. These incidents remind us of the delicate balance we must maintain between regional diplomacy, security considerations, and our obligation to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers as per international law. Kenya must reaffirm its commitment to ensure that such cases are handled with the most respectable legal frameworks and human dignity. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank you."
},
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"id": 1502251,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502251/?format=api",
"text_counter": 168,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The Hon. Tongoyo."
}
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