HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1358566,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1358566/?format=api",
"text_counter": 356,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mumma",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The State of the Nation Address is a constitutional requirement on accountability by the Presidency to the people of Kenya on how the Government of the day is carrying out its responsibilities in relation to the people of Kenya. Particularly, how the Government is ensuring that the values and principles provided for in Article 10 are being taken care of. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in paragraph nine and 10 of the President’s speech, he reiterates this responsibility. In Article 9, he said that- “Transformation of our economy is not only desirable and important but it is also necessary and urgent. The people of Kenya have made this clear at every opportunity”. He continued to say- “Our duty as leaders is to listen keenly and comply with the people’s wishes”. How I wish that he would lead by example, by listening to what the people of Kenya are saying at this time. I would have hoped that the President, at the time he was reading the speech, would have listened to the cries of Kenyans about the cost of living in this country. In Article 10, he referred to the citizen’s freedoms and fundamental rights. He did not speak to the whole stretch of it. However, we know that the entire of Chapter Four, guarantees certain rights to the citizens of Kenya. Among these rights, are the basic rights to ensure that people live in dignity. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the state of the nation is that many families are not able to make ends meet. The state of the nation is that many families are not able to educate their children anymore. This is because, levies have been put on since this Government came in place that have made it difficult for many families to afford tertiary, secondary and primary education. The state of the nation at the time we spoke is that, we have rogue departments that have decided to levy taxes left, right and center, that are making the poor poorer and stressing those who are doing business in Kenya. To increase the charges on a birth certificate, an identity card, a marriage certificate, a death certificate, acquiring of a passport, reclaiming citizenship for Kenyans who were born abroad, goods of Kenyans who are coming in and including second hand goods that people are coming in with from abroad, is where the state of the nation is. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Kenyans are being taxed left, right, and centre; whether dead or alive, in the womb or hospital. That is the state of the nation. I would have loved to hear the President pronounce himself on this issue. Particularly, why the Department of Immigration has decided to, without following due process, levy charges on fundamental rights. Access to the national Identification Card (ID) is a fundamental right. Paying Kshs2,000 for an ID will make the difference as to whether a child will go to university or not. Our children are finishing Form Four and many of them will need to acquire IDs. Many of them will require those IDs before they get help. This Government says when 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."
}