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{
    "id": 1518044,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1518044/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have assembled in the House this afternoon to commiserate with the family of the late William Cheptumo who was not only a friend, but also a classmate, a colleague in the profession, and an outstanding Senator serving his fourth term. Sen. Cheptumo’s demise came at a time when we were deeply involved in the election of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa. We learnt painfully that our colleague had departed. When we came back to Kenya, we joined his family in mourning and celebrating his life. Sen. Cheptumo’s demise should be a lesson to this country that we need to pull together in the direction of peace. It should be a lesson, as this House has shown this afternoon, that we must pull together, both the minority and the majority sides on the side that unites this country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in spite of the loss of the election as Chairperson of the AUC by my party leader, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, what we have leart from the passing on of our colleague is that this country needs all of us. Irrespective of the fact that Sen. Cheptumo sat on the majority side, Members of the minority side are now joined at the hip in mourning the departure of the Senator. In the same vein, even though the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga may not have won the election as Chairperson of the AUC, we, as a country, must use this opportunity to pull together because we have a country to run. We must join together in working with the leadership of His Excellency President William Ruto to ensure that this country grows to prosperity. That is the lesson that brings us here this afternoon. It is a lesson of peace and that we are tied together at the hip as Kenyans and, therefore, must work for the success of this country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we mourn Sen. Cheptumo, a good friend, colleague, and my classmate. May God rest his soul in eternal peace."
}