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{
    "id": 1358460,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1358460/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 250,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13599,
        "legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
        "slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
    },
    "content": "all. What I expected the Head of State to do was to tell us that ever since those pronouncements were made, he has taken certain steps to rein in members of his administration who might not understand what Article 10 speaks about when it speaks on inclusivity and national unity. He would have given an undertaking that we will not hear about that issue of shareholding any more. The first untruth that I want to invite this House to agree with me that I encountered is in paragraph nine of the President’s Speech where he acknowledges that it is the duty of all of us as leaders to listen keenly and comply with the people’s wishes. Now, that is where I took my first shot because I know for a fact that Kenyans have spoken over many policies that this administration has put in place, including the taxation measures that have been imposed through the Finance Bill of 2023. However, this Government has chosen to ignore the people’s pleas and, in fact, to do the exact opposite of what the people have been asking it do. The other value that I wanted him to speak to is the question of the steps taken by his Government and the progress that has been achieved in strengthening democracy. Now, here I went for a double shot and I will explain why. The first reason and Sen. (Dr) Khalwale has spoken very eloquently about what their generation did in order for them to achieve the freedoms that we enjoy during this time, including the freedom of speech. I suspect he also meant even the freedom of demonstration and the right to picket. When I was a child, I saw the leaders of the church being bludgeoned. I saw those pictures of Reverend (Rtd) Njoya being bludgeoned here on the streets by police officers just because he was exercising his right to protest. This same regime and Government is doing the very same things. In fact, this year alone, it has bludgeoned more people than Moi bludgeoned during the time of multi-party democracy. As a leader of the opposition, I know that I have a right under Article 35; a right that Bonnie and his generation fought very strongly for me to be able to express my disaffection with a policy of Government by protesting and picketing. I do not know how I can define picketing for my brother, Sen. (Dr) Khalwale, but picketing includes even putting a sufuria on your head. That sufuria on my head is not the solution I am proffering because I had proffered a solution that at the moment, because Kenyans are going through difficult times, please retain the subsidies, do not increase the taxation on fuel. Those are the proposals that came from my mouth. So, when you see me putting a sufuria on my head, that is not the solution. That is to me picketing and drawing your attention to the solutions I am proffering. However, you have refused to listen to the people of Kenya and yet the President would come and stand before the hallowed House of Parliament and say that he acknowledges that as a leader he has a responsibility to listen to the people of Kenya. Contrary to what many people believe, I actually admire Sen. (Dr) Khalwale because I have studied his history. You are some of the people who have inspired some of us to come to this House. We know your skills as a debater. Sen. (Dr) Khalwale, sometimes I understand your position as a Majority Whip in this House. You are The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}