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{
"id": 1196016,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1196016/?format=api",
"text_counter": 18,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Garissa Township, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Aden Duale",
"speaker": null,
"content": "In 2017, I was reappointed to the position of the Leader of the Majority Party to complete the journey. We walked that path in the tough years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the harrowing years of the handshake and the crazy season of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) euphoria. I withered the storm until June 2020 when I stood here and told your predecessor and colleagues who were there that the season had come to an abrupt end. It was one of my many lessons in politics, that sometimes you may do everything right, deliver on your promises, execute all the assignments and do all the right things and get excellent results. You must have the spine to stand by your friends. I am a living testimony that you do not have to betray your friends to thrive in politics. Ignore that nonsense, I stood by His Excellency William Samoei Ruto, now the President and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. He also stood by me. Thus, the currency of political hygiene is loyalty and being principled. Can a friend rely on you when it really matters? Can you rely on your friend? Can anyone depend on you? As many of my colleagues here will tell you, we walked on fire but we stood firm. We stood with the truth, we did not abandon our friends and eventually the good guys won. I trust that we will now have the opportunity to right the wrongs. In 2022, Hon. Speaker, I am here bidding farewell to the House to go and serve in the Cabinet. That is the power of dreams, it is a miracle. The lesson for me is in the same philosophy that we, in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, the hustler nation, have been preaching. If you believe in it and put your mind to it, work hard at it, God will make it happen for you. It does not matter how long it takes, he will guide your steps, give you the push and support your dreams. Every hustler must rise. Everything is possible if you keep trusting. I have served under three Speakers. First under Speaker Kenneth Marende for one term; two terms under your classmate and campus roommate Hon. Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi, and just under 40 days of your leadership. You have so far guided this House fairly, firmly and with keen political acumen. Given your years in politics, I am not surprised. I trust that your leadership will help transform this House, Parliament and country. I have also served under five Clerks. I began with the late Samuel Ndindiri, then worked with Patrick Gichohi. Thereafter I worked more closely with the late Justin Bundi and his successor Michael Sialai. In the current Parliament, I have worked with the Acting Clerk Serah Kioko. All these professional gentlemen and one lady have made my stay in the National Assembly memorable. The first tip I have for my colleagues is about the staff of Parliament. We have over 1,000 qualified, intelligent staff who have degrees, masters and PhDs in this House. These are civil servants who know a lot of things. They can make your career shine but you have to go to their offices and ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask; there is no stupid question that they have not heard. There is no impossible request they have not received. They have seen it all, so speak. You will be surprised at the depth of knowledge they possess. They will guide you in your roles in legislation, representation and even in oversight. Do not think that you are too important to speak to a parliamentary staff, they have seen politicians come and go and they will be here when you leave. I found some of them here and I am leaving them here, but I am going away with tonnes of knowledge. Please, use them to help transform this country. The second tip I have is that when it comes to the Legislature, we sink and swim as one. We are here to work for the people of Kenya and we make laws to serve the nation. It does not matter which side of the political divide you are from, always strive to do the right thing. There is no use trying to embarrass your colleagues or act thoughtlessly. If you do so, you just lower the dignity of the whole House. Think about honour as you go about your business. In any case, do not forget what happened in the 11th Parliament, when my late friend, Hon. Jakoyo Midiwo, The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}