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{
    "id": 1492767,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1492767/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 85,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Eldas, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Adan Keynan",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 41,
        "legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
        "slug": "adan-keynan"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I remember when I was elected to the 8th Parliament as a young legislator, Members of Parliament were working as if Parliament was an extension of the Office of the President though constitutionally, it was one of the three arms of Government. Hon. Oloo Aringo, for those of us who have been around and worked with him, remember him as a courageous, foresighted parliamentarian who thought outside of the box. And for those of us who were there, we have nicknamed him the ‘father’ of the Parliamentary Service Commission. When I was first elected, my gross salary was about Ksh33,000, with no office, car or bodyguard. Nothing at all. The structure at that particular time was that the House Business Committee was a club of the senior ministers. Bringing a private Member's Bill was the most difficult thing. Hon. Oloo Aringo, and I want colleagues here to remember, brought a private Member's Bill and it was difficult to have it go through the House Business Committee. That made us call a Kamukunji at 3.00 a.m., when even the late Mzee Kibaki, who was in hospital, was brought to come and participate. A Kamukunji at 3.00 a.m., where we normally have tea. Ultimately, we had to revolt. We had to refuse everything until the Government then gave consent to the private Member's Bill. That is what gave birth to the current Parliamentary Service Commission, and that is what removed us from the yoke of the Office of the President, and made us independent. That is what made Parliament an independent entity. One thing that I always remember the late Hon. Aringo for is this: He was de-whipped because of moving that particular Bill by his party. But we as Members of Parliament again decided to say “no PSC without Aringo” and, therefore, affirmed Hon. Aringo as the first Vice- Chairman of the Commission. Is it possible today, colleagues? Do we have that teamwork? Do we have that comradeship? So, all the benefits that we enjoy today as Members of Parliament is because of him. Allow me to say this: Even the staff here, our Clerk was a special District Officer (DO). All our staff were from the Office of the President, Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Special Branch and everywhere else. The kind of quality staff that you have here, the facilities that we have here, and the benefits that we enjoy here are all the brainchild of the late Hon. Oloo Aringo. Let us remember him as a dignified, brilliant legislator and wherever he is, may God rest his soul in eternal peace. Thank you."
}