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{
    "id": 1040161,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1040161/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1225,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I will have a problem with that because this Senate will now be invited to make a determination on whether that evidence which will be provided in-camera will be published. I believe that everything that happens in this House must have a record. This House must have a record. I think in determining whether that witness can be cross-examined in-camera, we must make a determination. Once we receive that information, are we able to keep that information within the precincts of Parliament or is it open to the public? Madam Deputy Speaker, this is because the threat which is being alluded to by the counsel for Nairobi City County Assembly can only be fully substantiated if there is a way that we can protect that information so that it is not available out in public. I think we may need to rethink because it is an application that has been made. We have to make a decision whether the counsel without any other witnesses and only the Senators and the Clerk can then call that witness here, put of the cameras so that this process can actually appear to be open. Madam Deputy Speaker, if we cannot be able to make that decision, then I would advise the Nairobi City County Assembly to withdraw that witness another witness so that this process can be seen to be open and not a process where people leave and say that they are under threat. This is a matter that we have to consider ourselves in this Parliament, first, on how to treat any in-camera witness testimonies. I remember when we had the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appearing before a Committee. The only thing we did was put off the cameras. We did not make it public. However, it remained as a record of this House so that in future it can be considered. Madam Deputy Speaker, since it is something new. Although I have heard my sister talk about use of technology, even our own Standing Orders are still very clear. Whichever means we use, they must be secure and accountable. We cannot just venture into new territories by allowing a witness to appear from wherever they are. This is because you would not know whether that witness would be coached to answer questions in a certain way. Madam Deputy Speaker, we cannot also take the staff of Parliament because if that threat is imminent you never know who it might take. Even the staff of Parliament might end up falling victim. I beseech the Assembly to withdraw that witness and bring in someone else."
}