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{
    "id": 1212584,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1212584/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 667,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Statement has spoken to many matters, many of which are self-explanatory. However, I cannot overemphasize the need for two things. One, the need for Senators to be present in the House; and two, for Committees to prioritise business that is coming to the House. We have Bills before us as well as vetting of various nominees. We need to ensure this House processes as many Bills as possible, especially during this Session. I hope that colleagues, Senators will abide by that rallying call. I hope next week will be better than the week that we have seen. I simply comment that it is not that we have not seen what you have seen today. However, first, I appreciate the behavior and conduct of my colleagues on the Majority Side. Despite enormous amount of provocation, they have kept their cool and remained calm. This was even when the Senate Minority Leader together with his troops decided to stagger the business of this House for more than one-and-a-half hours on a single item; something that we need not have debated extensively. They are setting a very bad precedence. We need to live in a country that believes in the rule of the law. If, for sure, you feel that you have a justified communication that you expect from the Speaker, the obvious thing is to find out. If the Speaker asks for time to exercise his mind on a letter, allow him. The Speaker is not a conveyor belt that you give any letter and just expect that he will come and communicate. Otherwise, then the Standing Orders would have expressly provided that once it has been decided, there is no need for the Speaker to communicate. It has been provided that the Speaker communicates changes, so that the Speaker can guide all of us. There will come a time that even these same Members; some of whom are now making noise at the Speaker will demand that the Speaker hears and bears them out as they are being mistreated by some of the machinations. I have observed and seen the games that the Minority Side plays. I know the kind of games they play with each other and the kind of political moves that they make against each other. Today, you think you are comfortable in a particular position. Tomorrow, people like Sen. Olekina who cannot allow the Speaker to make their contribution, will be seeking the attention of the Speaker to protect them. They will be lamenting of how this PG was not properly convened and they did not attain the threshold. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is very basic to allow the Speaker to exercise his independence and observe the matter that you have raised. I believe over time, the Speaker will communicate. Otherwise, if we set a precedent where if you disagree with the ruling of the Speaker, you paralyse the business of the House, raid the Speaker, throw words at each"
}