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{
    "id": 111029,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/111029/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 272,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Khalwale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 170,
        "legal_name": "Bonny Khalwale",
        "slug": "bonny-khalwale"
    },
    "content": "clearing and forwarding this document to the final stage then we must endeavour to be faithful clearing and forwarding agents. We must not look at ourselves as a special crop that will do something unique. All that we are doing, having read the document, is clearing and forwarding it to the final stage. A careful walk through this draft confirms the following issues: You need to have been in this country longer than some of the youth who pen stories in our newspapers and run documentaries on our FM stations which are supposed to help certain powerful people to achieve their means riding on regionalism or community interest. It takes those who have been here longer to realise how nice this thing is. I have looked at it and found, for the first time, that the principle of separation of power, which I was taught in Civic Education in Standard Seven many years ago in Malinya Primary School has now been achieved. Secondly, this document has carefully provided that the Executive authority of this country is not placed in two centres. It is, thankfully, in only one centre. It will be exercised by the supreme who is at the top and the other levels to which his authority has been devolved. Thirdly, this draft has ensured that the excessive presidential powers that have existed over the years have been devolved not into the hands of another individual with whom they can sit in a room be it at Harambee House, State House, or in a meeting in their constituencies and cut deals. The powers have been devolved into the following institutions: An independent Parliament; an independent Judiciary and independent constitutional commission. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this document has gone further, and that is why I support it, to ensure that any presidential appointments, from the time we enact this law and subsequently, shall never pass without vetting and approval of the National Assembly. Just in one stroke, the era of patronage has been brought to an end. I would like to mention something about devolution. When I think about devolution, it reminds me the scar of colonization. The colonialist left us something in this country. He did it in a very clever way in his theory of divide and rule. He taught our people in the various regions and communities to think small and act locally. We should use this particular draft to encourage Kenyans to think big and act nationally. Kenyans must be taught to think beyond their tribes and regions and identify with Kenya itself. They must be taught that the only form of federalism which we must embrace should not be federalism within the borders of Kenya, but it should be within the East African Community which offers us an opportunity for a strong common market, an effective and sensitive monetary union and a political integration that can bring the over 120 million East Africans together so that we can do business sensibly. I want to say here that when I will be going to the rallies to promote this draft, I will be saying, “To hell with Majimbo!” I will tell Kenyans that we must discover the magic of thinking big and proudly say “Yes” to the 47 strong viable counties that have been proposed in this draft. I know there are a few people who have been meeting overnight because they want to defend regional interests. Let me give you an example of America. When the Constitution of America was being negotiated so that it could become a union, the leader of the State of Boston walked out and refused and said that they wanted their autonomy as Boston. So, when a decision was made in his absence and he was asked why he had refused, he said: “We, in Boston are a fishing community. The interest"
}