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{
    "id": 1047655,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1047655/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "They told me that between the two of them, they have served Kenya for a hundred years. I asked them what they meant. They said 100 years. Hon. Musila for 50 years and Sen. Haji for 50 years. Sen. Haji said that Sen. Musila had been his boss, and there was a time Sen. Haji was Sen. Musila’ boss. When Haji was the Minister, Sen. Musila was the Assistant Minister in the same Ministry. He told me that things change. In quotes: “ Sasa wewe kijana, let me tell you to tell your fellow young men in Parliament to stop going fast. There is no hurry. It is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Hold your horses.” In the subsequent years, I got a lot of advice from him and the late Hon. G.G Kariuki, who I also thank so much for his mentorship. Later on, we met in the Senate. As Sen. Murkomen said, Sen. Haji had refused to Chair the Committee on National Security, Defense, and Foreign Relations. He was told that he has to Chair it, but that he will be given a helper. That is why I was the only person who was both the Chair and Vice-Chairperson of a Committee. He said that they should not worry, ‘ kuna kijana mdogo who will do the running around for them’. Sorry that I am using Swahili. You will remember that when Sen. Haji was busy with BBI, I literally had to run two committees for close to two years. Madam Deputy Speaker, Sen. Haji was trusting. He allowed me the leeway and encouraged me. There were times when I was chairing and he would walk in, even though he was the Chair, he would tell me to change something, but in private. He would never admonish me in public, and I have learnt a lot from him. He was very humble and stylish, with his Ray-Ban goggles and his white trousers. Even at his age, he had a good fashion sense with his white suits. I just want to say that we have lost a father, a friend and a mentor. I encourage the older politicians here that a candle does not lose its light by lighting another candle. Mentor other people and hold their hands. As I finish, I also reiterate that even when he had to take a stand on the revenue sharing formula, it was not easy for him and for many of us to go against what we felt the President wanted. He would come here at 1.00 p.m., despite being unwell, and sit and wait for 2.30 p.m. We, however, did it with humility and steadfastness. I am sure that ultimately, people came to understand. It is not something to be proud of; that we went against it. It is not about going against. He told me that if you are doing the right thing, do not worry about people misunderstanding you. If your conscience is clear and your heart is right, do it, they will understand later. On behalf of the people of Nairobi and my family, may his soul rest in peace. Thank you."
}