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"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to hereby reply, having listened to the contributions of my colleagues on this important Motion, on trial by impeachment of the Deputy President, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua. I would like to thank colleagues that have taken time to give their views, both in support and those opposing this Motion, because that is how you grow a democracy. We may not all have to agree on the same subject matter, but the chance to even speak and say what you feel about an issue is an important attribute. Indeed, I agree with the contribution that was made by one of the advocates for the National Assembly. That, comparing what you are doing today with previously what used to happen, where in the 1 o'clock news, vice presidents would be changed without any notice, and the elaborate process that you have gone through up to this point is great for our country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the National Assembly and the team of the Deputy President, that has presented us with information to help us make a fair judgment of this case. I strongly disagree with those that hold the view that the Senate has not been as fair to the Deputy President as perhaps they would have expected. To the best of my knowledge, as a House, we did the best that was within our means. We granted him the opportunity and sufficient notice. It is only in the unfortunate circumstance of this afternoon where he was taken ill. I wish to take this time to extend my message of goodwill to him and wish that he can quickly recover and get on with his other duties, both as a human being and, whichever way this vote goes, because it is not in my hands, but in the hands of the 67 jury that are here, that he shall continue to thrive. I wish him well. Like I observed earlier, this is a friend, and friends wish each other well under all circumstances. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as a final thought. I thought about the journey of the Deputy President and the tribulations that have occurred to him because of either his conduct or utterances, I am reminded of a book I once read, Mr. Speaker, by Senegalese satirist, Ousmane Sembene, a book called Xala, where, a very rich businessman by the name El Hadji looks at and desires a beautiful young lady by the name N’Gone and finally takes her in as a third wife. Unfortunately, on the same night that he marries her, he develops erectile dysfunction and is not able to consummate their marriage. Sometimes in life, when you fall down, you have to prepare to get down before you eventually can rise up. I do hope that even in this particular process, the Deputy President will emerge stronger, better, as a human being, as a leader, and that there can be better days ahead for him. With those remarks, I beg to reply and wish that our colleagues in this House make a decision in the best interest of the country. 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."
}