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{
    "id": 1358532,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1358532/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 322,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I listened to the State of the Nation Address last week and, unfortunately, I was left disappointed. Apart from the issues raised by Sen. Sifuna in his submission, there were many other issues that were left either half spoken about or not at all. I spoke about the Address with a group of Kenyans across the weekend. They described it as being similar to the moment you invite visitors to come to your home. The family at home, the spouse, kids, house manager and the askaris - those who live in the compound and house -understand exactly where the dirty linen is. They know exactly every nook and cranny in that household. However, when visitors come along, everything is hidden. Things are put under the carpet, behind shelves, shoes inside the microwave and t-shirts behind the headboards inside the bedrooms. That is how they described that Address. The sovereign power knows what is happening within our borders. Kenyans know exactly what is happening. The Embassies within our boarders also know what is happening. This Speech seemed to be catered to the international communities outside of Kenya, who may not really understand the intricacies and true picture of what Kenya is going through today. I also want to reiterate what has been said here, which is a quote taken from the Address. It says “our duties as leaders is to listen keenly and comply with the peoples wishes”. Unfortunately, that has not been done. In fact, many people’s wishes have been deliberately sidestepped, shelved and ignored, just to make way for interest and agenda to move forward. He also continued to say that it puts ordinary Kenyans’ security, wellbeing and interests front and center in our discourse. Unfortunately, I feel that is a mistruth that was posed in this Address. He spoke about making progress amidst the challenges and that Kenya cannot be derailed by challenges. However, when there are so many challenges to be addressed, how can this State of Nation Address speech not put them front and centre? He gave a lot of anecdotes; about Kenyans he has been speaking to throughout the year, even more recently before this address. He talked to us about Alice, Harrison and Moses. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also know an Alice. She is a mother to a child with neuro- diverse disability in this country. She complains that there is no support nor framework that is actually assisting or aiding her as a caregiver to her child. I also know an Alice and she was also disappointed by this Address. I also know a Harrison. He is a musician who has given his life and creativity to uplift this country and hold our flag high, not just within the country, but also outside. Now, Harrison in his elderly age is in Mombasa County. He has a acquired a disability and is not able to provide or fend for himself through his creative skill and talent of music. 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."
}