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{
"id": 1519191,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1519191/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
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"content": "Motion. However, I have seen people discuss friendly nations and the local matters in that particular country with wanton recklessness. That should not be the case. Sen. Cherarkey tried to bring it to the attention of the Speaker when that matter first showed up this afternoon when we had the visiting delegation from Uganda. Unfortunately, maybe how he sought the attention of the Speaker was not impressive enough. The Speaker reserves the right of whether to allow one to make their point or not, but it is not proper. Many Senators need to acquiesce themselves with our Standing Orders that do not allow that kind of behaviour. People are talking about an issue that happened today. They are saying, “Oh, you are hosting rebels, this or the other”. Kenya is a proud member of the international community. Many times, people rush here when their countries conflict. The same people that are faulting us and saying why we allowed Hon. Kizza Bisigye to be picked and be air-lifted from Nairobi to Kampala, today have a problem that part of the faction that is warring in Sudan is here in the country. So, which is which? If you want us to lock the country to anybody that is under siege in his own country, then let that be your stand. You cannot in one hand, say that you need to keep this one here, but you need to release the other. Over the years, Kenya has made a significant contribution to regional stability, including every other East African country, where there have been negotiations when they have conflict. Part of negotiations include allowing the warring parties to have access to your country. If one of the entities has pitched tent here, how can you say that we support whatever they are doing? We are a proud member of the international community. There are millions of refugees making a living as they go about their business in this country. You remember the issue of the DRC a few months ago when they protested and asked why they allowed so and so to speak, our answer was plain and simple; this is a free country. When people come here, they enjoy their rights. This is a country where you insult even the President and nobody does anything to you. So, it will be difficult for us to say that only Kenyans are allowed certain rights, but foreigners are not permitted of the same. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I request colleagues who want to do an evaluation of Kenya’s performance on the diplomatic stage to perhaps present a substantive Motion. They should approach the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations and raise issues they have. To reduce such an important Motion where you want to score cheap points and appear as if you are the most knowledgeable on matters, which you are ill prepared to comment on. When people who understand better listen to what you are talking about, they cringe in their seats wondering who elected you. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to plead with colleagues and I said this in the morning when I was moving this Motion that there are things that can divide us. We can have different opinions when it comes to matters local politics, but when shall we ever grow and mature politically to appreciate that, for example, when a Kenyan shows up at an international stage, they represent our flag and we, as a people? 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."
}