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{
    "id": 1442779,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1442779/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 187,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tobiko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I congratulate them because they showed us that it is possible to have a tribeless Kenya. They have shown us that it is possible to have a partyless country. They have shown us that they can unite beyond greed and religion. Madam Temporary Speaker, they have actually shown us that we can come out peacefully and demand for our rights. These are some of the things that we never thought possible. The cancer of tribalism that has affected this country almost took us to civil strife in 2007 and 2008, in the post-election violence. When these young Kenyans showed us that they can come together for a common cause, a unity of purpose; let me say that as a mother of those young people, I am very proud of them. They paid the price and we mourn today. Our young people lost lives and they should not have lost their lives. We have become brutal even to our own children. Let me offer an apology on behalf of all the other leaders who may not enjoy this kind of platform. I apologize to the demonstrators and the families of those who lost their loved ones. They were treated in an inhumane manner and they were handled badly. This House must lead in trying to check the excesses of the police. The good thing is that all Kenyans are watching this House today, including the Gen Zs, millennials and the young people. In fact, when this debate was going on, one of them forwarded to me a list of their demands and I want to read it. They said it is deeper and bigger. They also said, ‘you guys are saying a lot of things, but we will give you in summary. Pay all the doctors, hire the medical interns, pay the teachers, fund the schools, cut public expenditure, fire all corrupt civil servants, bring back Linda Mama, reform the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), recover all stolen money, remove unconstitutional offices. Jenga nchi usibomoe. ” Madam Temporary Speaker, I wanted to first make sure I have delivered that one before I put it in my own words because I think they captured what they wanted better. It is a Damascus moment in our country. Some moment for us to restore our country, the dignity of our systems, make sure that systems are working and that each one of us is accountable. These young people actually spoke about things that we should have been speaking about in the two Houses, but we did not. The issue of public debt and reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). We have more interest in reconstituting of the IEBC than the demonstrators because we know when our position falls vacant by whichever cause or even natural causes, there is a way for an MP to be replaced and it must be through IEBC. These young people said, ‘remove the punitive taxes, remove the budgeted corruption and wastage.’ I thank the President for turning down the Finance Bill. However, the Finance Bill was just a trigger. The issue is unemployment, the desperation that is out there and the unbearable taxation. These are the real issues that are affecting us today. People are demanding our faithfulness to the law. We must pause, think and act in a way that is acceptable in the eyes of Kenyans and the law. I also want to use this platform to ask my President some questions. When I watched the President in the interview with the media houses, I was sad."
}