Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1021568,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1021568/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 144,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support the amendments to the alteration of the Calendar. There is a feeling outside there that Members are not doing enough to support the ordinary mwananchi during these hard times of the pandemic. Many are concerned about the few hours we are sitting and the so many issues that are not addressing the economic situation. This brings a more or less feeling that Parliament has heightened the fear. They fear to die of Coronavirus more than the ordinary mwananchi and that is why we do not seem to be doing much. Yes, we passed several amendments to the tax laws to lower the taxes and the rest, but the impact according to the common mwananchi has not yet being felt. The truth be told, people are suffering outside there because of the Coronavirus pandemic. This calls upon Parliament to show leadership and ensure that we address the emerging issues. This is a matter of perception we must address. There are very many pending Bills in committees. Many reports from committees point to a situation of either lack of adequate capacity at the secretariat level or lack of commitment from Members. Or, as we were told when we came here in 2017, that by 2020, many of us will have ran back to our constituents because opponents are breathing on our backs and we do not have enough time. A way must be found to facilitate committees with adequate time to move the so many pending Bills and activities. For example, I sit in the Committee on Delegated Legislation and as we stand today, we have about 33 subsidiary legislations that require to be approved. Today, I have heard quite a number read and probably the number will swell to around 40. Virtual meetings will not take us anywhere. Meeting once a week for one or two hours will not take us anywhere. Yes, the blame will lie on the Committee on Delegated Legislation, but overly, it is Parliament that will have been seen to let Kenyans down. Yet Kenyans are risking their lives with the Coronavirus pandemic to undertake their daily chores to feed themselves and see how to survive. They wonder why Parliament has taken this pandemic with fear yet, it is a shared responsibility which all of us must take part of the risk. 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."
}