Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1409444,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1409444/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I know Hon. Okello was seated next to me at that funeral. For the record, let me state that I went to the funeral to mourn with the family of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Ogolla. I was comfortable sitting anywhere because it was a funeral. However, I noticed that the Deputy Leader of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition, His Excellency Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, was seated very far from where I would ordinarily expect a leader of his stature to sit. I do not know which position he holds in the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition. I do not know if he is the Deputy Leader or if Hon. Martha Karua is the Deputy Leader. However, I know he is a leader within the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition. The Leader of the Majority Party in the Senate and I had to cede our seats and move to allow Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka to move to the position we felt he warranted. There was probably a problem with the protocol that day. The best I can do is offer my very profound apologies to Hon. Okello and Hon. Ruku on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, which was in charge of protocol at that funeral. I know Hon. Okello is from Kanyakwar Village. I have been there and I offer him my very profound apologies. I know he likes to sit in a very prominent position. Hon. Ruku was very comfortable, as was I, because we went there to mourn the fallen hero, General Ogolla. However, that does not mean that Members of Parliament should not be accorded the respect that they deserve, not just during funerals, which are very solemn occasions, but also during national holiday celebrations. I want to say this to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and those in charge of protocol during national functions, that seats of Members of Parliament ought to be reserved ahead of those of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries. I have seen on some occasions that they even reserve seats of Governors ahead of those of Members of Parliament. Hon. Keynan will tell you that he sponsored a Bill in this House on the Order of Precedence. Members of Parliament rank very high up ahead of other State officers, some of whom are elevated above Members of Parliament. Hon. Speaker, I commit to pick that matter up with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, which is usually in charge of protocol during State functions. They should ensure that starting from 1st June 2024, if Hon. Keynan or Hon. Robert Mbui is accompanying Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, they must be accorded a respectable place to sit. Do not expect Hon. Robert Mbui to sit on the grass. The last time he tried to imitate people in some demonstrations, he fractured his legs. You can imagine what can happen to Hon. Robert Mbui, if he tries to sit where there are other members of the public. For the record, occasionally, I cede my seat to Members of Parliament. When I attend the President’s functions and I find the area Member of Parliament has not been accorded a good place to sit, I cede my seat to him or her which is usually very close to that of the President. Let us not take some of those things too heavily in our hearts. All those positions are transitory. I am Leader of the Majority Party today. I might not be the one tomorrow. Those who are Cabinet Secretaries today might not be in the same positions tomorrow. Therefore, let us also have some humility in service. We are all at the service of the people whom we serve. We must put service at the core of our service to the nation, ahead of our personalities and egos. I remain strong to serve, Hon. Speaker."
}