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{
"id": 1519031,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1519031/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo, Ojienda, SC",
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"speaker": null,
"content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, contributing to this Motion after Senator Sifuna and speaking to the very successful, I must say, for this country, bid by the Right. Hon. Odinga to secure the leadership of the African Union Commission; coming face to face with issues that the Secretary General of my party, ODM, has correctly enunciated this afternoon that due to geopolitical questions that abound in the Gaza, the views of various structures, the conflict between Israel, of course, and Palestine and all those questions, but also the geopolitical questions that in some way found their place, onto the voting table, touching on the conflict in the DRC, that has been properly dealt with by the Secretary General, Sen. Sifuna, led to several implications. For the first time, Madam Temporary Speaker, many Kenyans were learning that under the rules of the African Union, not two rounds, not three, not four, but seven rounds are possible in an election. Out of the seven rounds, the first two were successfully won by Baba, and he stepped out of the sixth round, going into the seventh. Madam Temporary Speaker, these rounds of elections speak to a number of questions. It is the democratic intention of the rules of election of the African Union to afford countries, leaders and candidates an opportunity to integrate and reintegrate Africa even during elections. And it is for that reason that it was only in the seventh round that Mr. Yusuf of Djibouti garnered the required 33 votes that are required under the rules to win an election for the AUC Chairmanship. I speak not as one of those Senators who have spoken to the need for thinking beyond the election, but I speak, on this podium as a Senator who is concerned about the unity of this country. Though I am not a party leader or Secretary-General of ODM, framework, of course, will eventually be found for the political party to settle onto a position. I am sure that my political party, the ODM, is a political party that is built on structures and not on quicksand; that is built on philosophical foundations, firm, and that are not only concerned about regional, but also has international concerns. That it is not a local party, as Deputy Party Leader Osotsi has put it correctly this afternoon. It is a party that speaks to structures; to posterity. It is a party that considers not local, but regional, national, and other factors, which is why Baba was presented for election to the AUC. I am sure when Baba finally speaks, he will speak to ideals that unite this nation."
}