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{
    "id": 1357391,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1357391/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 417,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if we have an opportunity to amend the Constitution, it is important that this particular Article is amended so that we can question the President on accountability issues. For example, in this case, we can question him on unfulfilled promises that he made to Kenyans when he was seeking to get into this office. We will question him on the adequacy of his address to Parliament. When I read through this speech, it does not adequately deal with Article 10 of the Constitution. Article 10 talks about 20 national values and principles of Government. In his speech, he has basically dealt with less than 10 of the national values. The depth of what he has dealt with is shallow. For example, Sen. (Dr.) Oburu has talked about the issue of police brutality. Police brutality is a very serious human rights issue, which is one of the values of Article 10 of the Constitution. That speech did not deal with it. We have had so many Kenyans who lost their lives. As a Head of State, we expected him to say something about what his Government is doing to address the issue of police brutality. That is not covered. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 10 is also very wide because it talks about the issues of good governance and sustainable development of the country. The key word here is sustainable. If you read through the speech and you look at Article 10 of the Constitution, then you realize that this speech was highly inadequate in addressing the provision of Article 10 of the Constitution. Just like some of the Senators who have spoken before me, I was very disappointed with the speech of the President because key issues affecting Kenyans at the moment were not adequately addressed in that speech. When we hear our colleagues who are very fast and quick at rising on point of order Nos.105, 101 and 98, have simply forgotten their role as legislators. We are not here as defenders of the Executive. We are here to perform an oversight role. So, hon. Members, I think we need to understand our role. When you have a Member standing to defend the Government and even saying that this Government found Kshs90 million in the coffers. I am eagerly waiting for the substantiation by the Senate Majority Leader. We are going to ask him so many questions. One of the questions will be: The assumption of office cost more than Kshs90 million. Where did the Government get additional money to conduct the assumption of office processes? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Government is running on propaganda. If I may quote one of the leading economists and central banker in Africa Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia from Ghana said: “The lesson from the history of government is that you cannot manage the economy with propaganda. In fact, you can engage in all the propaganda you want, but if the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you.” This is not me saying this. This is a renowned economist saying that please, focus on the job. Stop talking about the former regime. Even today I saw one of the senior Cabinet Secretaries blaming the leakage of a roof at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on the former regime."
}