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{
"id": 1519423,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1519423/?format=api",
"text_counter": 178,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
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"content": "It is a retrogressive practice that is continuing to gain a bad reputation. Unfortunately, it is supported by certain leaders who do not see beyond petty partisan politics. They believe it is good to cheer on young people even as they malign their own country online on the global stage, thinking it will power their popularity. This addiction to clickbait and trying to be favoured and loved online is what will bring down many a political career. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we must always appreciate and know that there is a line between being democratic, expressing your views of disagreement or agreement with a particular position, and being outright foul with your language and abusive of other people in the pursuit of their interests. It broke my heart, for example, to see certain people celebrating, including leaders. I must add that, unfortunately, some of them sit in this House, posting messages and saying, “oh, I am glad so-and-so lost.” Really? In the 21st Century? That was a new low for me. You do not have to agree with the former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga politically, but he has earned his place. He has made his mark. You may never have voted for him in your life, or like me, you may have voted for him once or twice, but do we have to sink that low as a country where even leaders post messages of celebration and say, “oh, we are glad he did not do this or the other?” I want to urge us, as a country, that perhaps it is time we paused and draw a line and realize what is a fine line between politics. What are the things that you can agree on, and what are the things that you can disagree on? How do we learn to coexist with each other? What is this negative energy that has permeated our country so much that even on such solemn issues that can easily bring together a country, we want to disagree? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not want to dwell much on the things that have not gone right. This is about a celebration of a Kenyan who stepped up on the continental stage and made us proud, the results notwithstanding. As a Kenyan, I felt proud watching him in Addis Ababa making his presentation, meeting with other heads of states, listening and following the more than 20 heads of states, nearly half of Africa, who stood with him up to the sixth round. They were voting and insisting they needed this man to lead our continent. Lastly, I congratulate the gentleman who was elected because, in any election, there is a winner and a loser. Only that in this case, it is my humble view that Africa lost, but it is not Hon. Raila who lost. Africa would have been served better by this statesman. However, in any democratic process, we have been taught and must appreciate that the person that the majority have had their say and their view is that, that person takes the lead. That particular individual this time being His Excellency Mohamed Ali Yusuf, we are duty-bound to congratulate him. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to grant this opportunity to other Senators also to share their thoughts on it. I know President William Ruto was asked by the rest of the African heads of states in last year's Summit to lead the charge on reforms of the AU."
}