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{
"id": 1370530,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1370530/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 407,
"legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
"slug": "ledama-olekina"
},
"content": "Morocco has supported this country a lot. We get a lot of fertilizer from the Kingdom of Morocco. It is therefore imperative that we bring our brothers closer, so that we know how we can deal with it. While at it, we also have to play a critical role in educating some of those officers who represent us in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was shocked when I saw the Principal Secretary (PS), Mr. Abraham Korir SingOei, attacking the Speaker of this House, saying that the Speaker of this House should not meet and discuss issues to do with diplomacy. Mr. Speaker, Sir, people have selective amnesia. The offices that we hold are not offices that belong to an individual. These are offices that transcend individuals. In the last dispensation of the Jubilee administration, the former President of this country, His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, extended an invitation to the Republic of Somaliland and they were building diplomatic ties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is imperative that this House, and particularly the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, summons the current PS in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abraham Korir SingOei, to come here and explain because it is ridiculous. Sometimes we make certain comments that we do not understand their unintended consequences. It is hypocritical for someone who has served as an adviser to the Government, to make statements, attacking a powerful institution. The Senate is very powerful. The Speaker of the Senate is almost number four in leadership in this country. So, how can a PS, who is approved by this House, go in and castigate a Speaker? We are speaking about issues of diplomacy, opening embassies abroad and bringing all these countries together. Recently, we admitted Somali into the East African Community (EAC). Why is it wrong if people can recognise Somaliland as a nation within a nation? Why is it wrong for the Speaker of this House to meet with dignitaries from that country? Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is about time we stand firm, defend this House, its leadership and ensure that we move together as a nation. Yesterday, we were arguing about the welfare of our staff. Some things do not require politics. There are things that are important. Today I got a phone call from one of the suppliers who assists our county offices. He was not able to take his child to the hospital because my office has not paid for things that they supplied for the operations of our county offices. If we cannot sit here and talk and any time we raise issues, it is a problem--- You have heard people in the Executive coming here and castigating this House. It is about time that we made a firm determination. This Statement by the distinguished Senator from Migori County should be one that can canvass all these issues; the issue of Morocco and that of Somaliland, so that we can put everything to rest. Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, I would like to request the same Committee on Foreign Relations to summon Mr. Abraham Korir SingOei, to come and explain why he took to social media to castigate the Speaker of this House."
}