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{
    "id": 1442666,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1442666/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 74,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "The protest by Gen Z is a reawakening call to the Government and the entire population of Kenya. This is a moment that we require to reflect and reset our nation. We need to reset this Senate, the National Assembly and all state organs, so that they comply with the wishes of many Kenyans. I have listened to all speakers who had an opportunity to speak to this Motion, but I want to divert a bit. The problem of this nation is here. The problem of this nation is the Parliament of Kenya. Another institution that is responsible for our problems is the presidency, yet we have not talked eloquently about it. I want to take this chance to talk about it. What happened to Parliament? Parliament used to be a holy institution that was always on the side of the people. I remember when I was a student at the university here long before I knew I would become a politician, I used to go to the Public Gallery to listen to Hon. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale and Hon. Onyonka who are now here. I used to enjoy the debates because they used to debate openly. There was no fear and they were there for the people of Kenya. I am not accusing anyone, but we have descended. Parliamentary democracy has descended in this country. When we talk about all the omissions that we have talked about, someone listening to us will ask; what have you people done? They will tell us that all this has happened under our watch, but what have we done? When we say that the Inspector General of Police (IG) should be removed from office, what has Parliament done? That is the National Assembly and the Senate. So, we stand to be blamed by Kenyans. When we reflect, a lot of that reflection has to be focused on Parliament. We have allowed Parliament to be an appendage of the state. How do you explain that when a critical Bill is before the House, parliamentary group meetings are held at State House? We need to change the Standing Orders so that all parliamentary group meetings are held within the precincts of Parliament. Even my party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should hold its meetings within the precincts of Parliament. Let our leader come here and chair our meetings. Likewise, let President William Ruto come to this Parliament and chair parliamentary group meetings within the precincts of Parliament. The idea of us being taken to State House and given orders on how to operate in this House and how to vote should stop from today. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we always start on a wrong note when we have a new Parliament. Even the leadership of parliamentary committees, especially departmental committees, is decided in State House and our secretariat here in Parliament facilitate that. We need to ensure that parliamentary democracy comes back. Let Members of a committee freely elect their Chairpersons. I served in the National Assembly and saw Chairpersons of committees behaving like Personal Assistants (PAs) to Cabinet Secretaries. How can you oversight a Cabinet Secretary when you as the Chairperson is very cosy with them? You go to his office to drink tea in the morning, eat lunch and seek favours, yet the person is supposed to appear before you to answer questions. How is it possible? Hon. Members, before we blame any other institution, we have to start here."
}