GET /api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1515562/?format=api
HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1515562,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1515562/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 180,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. What you need to decide on is the wording of Article 108 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Standing Order 19. Of importance is the use of the verb ‘to be’ in that particular Article and Standing Order. The majority or minority party is one that is adequately constituted at that particular moment. It is not cast in stone as the court tried to tell Kenyans that the majority and minority parties were determined on the election date. The tense used is present, ‘is’, which means it can change from time to time, as the issue comes into question. Therefore, the court was wrong. I respect the decision of the court. However, on appeal, we will argue that the three judges were wrong because they did not take into consideration the use of the verb ‘to be’ in the present tense which means from time to time. For example, before the ruling, the majority party was the Kenya Kwanza Coalition. If parties like UDA left Kenya Kwanza Coalition, does it continue to be the majority party? It loses the status because that is determined by how many Members are in the party or a coalition from time to time. The court overreached when they interpreted it this way. So, we shall appeal on this matter. But because the course of action of 6th October 2022 is spent, we request you, Hon. Speaker, to give us another ruling using the present tense of the verb ‘to be’, that is, ‘is’, as to who the majority and minority is as we speak in this House today. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}