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{
    "id": 1243247,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1243247/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 388,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "I do not think that, in any way, getting us to pray suggests that there is a dereliction of duty on our part as leaders especially, those that serve in this present administration. Rather, it is an admission that despite all the knowledge that we may have, sometimes there are challenges that are beyond the will and the power of man that only the super natural can solve for us. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we will take two, three or four at most for prayer. I have attended many of these prayer breakfasts, as national leaders, to reflect on where our country is and where we need to go. I do not think that it suggests in any way that we have surrendered and that only prayers can save us. In as much as we know the challenges that we face today as a country, it will take beyond the actions of man to rescue us from where we are. The challenges that Kenya faces today are unique and interesting. On one side, we have people trying to resolve them and on the other, we have people who were part and parcel of creating the mess and are now shouting loudest about how not to resolve that particular mess. It is a unique situation that we find ourselves in as a country. We hope that in terms of prayer, we can take time to reflect and even think about the less fortunate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just because of a mere proposal of something called a Housing levy, the conversation is now alive for the first time. In fact, yesterday, a constituent of mine asked me about this law that we have brought? Little did they know that the Finance Bill has always been part and parcel of parliamentary practice. It is a clear ritual in Parliament. I reminded them that if you recall three of four years ago, there was a similar fight when Value Added Task (VAT) was being introduced on petrol and fuel. There was a big divide in the National Assembly at that particular time. It is when they recalled that, indeed, they have been such conversations before. We find ourselves in a unique place where, unfortunately, that cheap and retrogressive politics cannot solve. I hope that when we take time to pray, as leaders, we will come to the realization that we have a country to mind after we are done with our politics depending on whichever side of the divide we belong to. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would not wish to say much. I am sure there are other opportunities to say a lot on that particular topic. Let me not flood on this very important Motion that allows us, as a House, to take a break to go and pray. I welcome everybody, including Sen. Okiya Omtatah, who has said that he wants to see an invoice. I will gladly tell him that I have paid for him. You are more than welcome on that day. Thank you."
}