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{
    "id": 102086,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102086/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 223,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. George Saitoti",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Provincial Administration and National Security",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 205,
        "legal_name": "George Muthengi Kinuthia Saitoti",
        "slug": "george-saitoti"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. Let me, first of all, begin by the clarification sought by hon. Dr. Khalwale. He wanted to know whether the Government will take action against the members of the clergy who issue irresponsible statements which would border on insecurity. I would like to state here like I stated earlier in the statement I read, namely that nobody is going to be treated as being above the law on this matter whether it is the clergy, whether it is the Members of Parliament, whether it is the Minister and any individual who makes threatening speeches to incite the people in order to derail the peace and stability of this country, action will be taken against them. I think it is important to say that it is not only those hon. Members of Parliament who have actually been taken by the CID. Some of them may very well go to court today, but there are also others. This is a stern warning to anybody who wants to cause problems in this country. The other thing that again the hon. Member also sought clarification on is whether we should actually ban the clergy and others from allowing the introduction of references to the Yes and the No campaign. We are a democratic country; we have agreed to embrace democracy and we know very well that the issues that are now being debated are some of the issues that the clergy feel strongly about. So, I do not think we want to get to a situation where we will be saying that the Government is muzzling the people from expressing their views and especially when it takes into account that the constitution is about, firstly, the person. As an individual, what do you think about your family, the community and the country? So, we cannot muzzle people from expressing their views but they must do so in a responsible manner. I think that is the only caveat I would want to that one. Again, the same hon. Member also wanted me to talk about the ruling on the Kadhis’ Court. I think I find myself deficient as far as commenting on that particular matter is concerned because this was a ruling of the court. I think it is offensive to some members of our society but there is always recourse and the recourse again is to the court. So I do not want to be drawn into that one. The hon. Member also made an aspersion on the fact that the security personnel may have been involved in the explosion, if I heard him right. However, if I did not get the hon. Member, he can always correct me. I think in my earlier statement, I was very clear to say that at this stage, our investigation is focused on a broad spectrum of all groups and individuals. I do not think we should speculate at this particular time. We want to carry out thorough investigations and once we zero in on anybody irrespective of his or her status, action will have to be taken. Hon. Kiema Kilonzo also wanted to know who will foot the bills of those innocent people who were injured and admitted to hospital. Of course, you know this is an extra burden. I want to state here clearly that the Government itself will meet the bills."
}