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{
    "id": 1026600,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1026600/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 316,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "The last meeting the House Business Committee held last week, we reviewed and came to a conclusion that we could have two Sittings in a week instead of three: on Wednesday morning and afternoon for the next two weeks. Basically, we are breaking on 13th August 2020. We will use that period to review the behaviour pattern of the effects of COVID-19. The curve is not flattening yet. There is a spike in infections. We hope we are approaching the peak. Let us pray hard that we are approaching the peak so that, maybe, in the next one month or so, the curve starts flattening and even have a downward trend, in which case then we will resume our normal Sittings. My final comment is that sometimes I hear and discuss a lot with Members of Parliament who believe that we are being overcautious and that we are behaving like we fear COVID-19 more than any other institution. The truth of the matter is that we are a closed family. This Parliament is a small area with a very high population. In fact, we are like some estates of Nairobi that are overly populated. Already amongst us, a few Members have already contracted the virus and we do not know the actual number because many of us have not taken tests. The truth of the matter is that over 30 members of staff who serve us on a daily basis have tested positive. That is a fact. The last time we checked there were 36 and there are others who are offering services to Parliament who are also affected. So, in a closed family like this, if we do not take precaution, then certainly, the effect of this COVID-19 pandemic will be too much in Parliament. We know how Members of Parliament interact with people out there. I agree with the Leader of the Majority Party that we should reduce our interactions, but this has been said many times. We are educated but you still see that Members are not ready to let go our everyday interactions. So, we are exposing other Kenyans also to the same risk. I just want to plead with my colleagues that let us not imagine that the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has not hit Parliament. It has. There are a few of our Members, a number of staff members and a number of other people who offer services to Parliament who have already tested positive. So, if we do not take these precautions as the leadership of the House, we have a duty and responsibility to recommend those measures that we think are in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. This will help protect this institution and protect Kenyans at large. Hon. Speaker, I second the Motion."
}