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{
    "id": 114192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/114192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kabando wa Kabando",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 31,
        "legal_name": "Kabando wa Kabando",
        "slug": "kabando-kabando"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the President’s Speech. I support the exposition of public policy carried therein. It is not always easy to collectively appreciate the achievements an individual makes. For those who have been in this House longer, for example, His Excellency the President, hon. ole Ntimama and others; we do, as young Members of Parliament, have some lessons that we can learn from them. Therefore, the President’s comment that we have the singular opportunity to make a mark to this country, the region and the continent, given what we have gone through in the last nearly half a century is very important. It actually imbues an obligation of what we need to do to reduce grand standing, minimize demarcation in and outside of this House, and in the spirit of what the PSC on the Review of the Constitution did in Naivasha, carry forward the agenda of constitutional reforms and complete this process once and for all. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, many years have passed. I appreciate the fact that, even as you sit on the Chair, you are part of those garland sons and daughters who have put their lives and fortune – economic, political and family – at stake. Many of our colleagues have even left in pursuit of good governance under a new Constitution. Therefore, this is a matter that should not be taken lightly in the context of ethnic groups, regions and emerging or subdued political alliances. This is an issue about this country and posterity more than it is for the incumbent Members of Parliament or the Grand Coalition Government. In that Draft Constitution that we will discuss, many of the issues that we expect, without anticipating debate, are Bill of rights; devolution of resources and power. However, the new Constitution only comes to recognise the rights that are inherent. This Constitution cannot be perpetual. It cannot be forever. It cannot be a Constitution that will belong to this generation in terms of making and responsibility. A new generation can impart new clauses or chapters that can enrich it. Therefore, the call by many Members of Parliament and other sectors that we give consensus, a middle ground and moderation a chance so that we can midwife in this century a new Constitution that has eluded this country for so many years, is very important. As an Assistant Minister of this Government, I will never wish to serve in such a Grand Coalition Government that is full of conflicts and confusion. Many things delay being implemented because of the Grand Coalition Government’s many centres of power, loyalties, opportunism and the existence of puppets both within and outside the political activities who want to harvest from this confusion. This should be the last opportunity for this country to get a new Constitution. It should also be the last experience with a Grand Coalition Government. Therefore, the new Constitution must bind the power-wielders and download and downgrade them. That way, the devolution that we shall experience will empower the population. We should not be threatened. The financial markets, the tourism sector and the optimism of young people have been threatened because of grandstanding and competitions that are not good. Therefore, the opportunity for a new Constitution is an obligation. Many issues have been mentioned. This includes corruption, impunity, matters to do with the education sector and the National Youth Council (NYC). All these issues will be subsidiary if we do not conclude the Constitutional Reform Process in time. On impunity and corruption, I want to quote the third President of the USA, Mr. Thomas Jefferson. He said:- “A nation that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both because it deserves neither.” The family of the late J.M. Kariuki, like many other families of the unsung heroes of Saba Saba and Nane Nane, has been marking the anniversaries of their departed one. Why were these people killed? Why do we have political assassinations? It is because of the equality of impunity of successive regimes. This is where assassination, torture and even economic sabotage including sabotage of businesses and individuals who do not agree with certain politics or political alliances are implemented."
}