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{
    "id": 1567996,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1567996/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suna East, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Junet Mohamed",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, I beg to move a Motion of Adjournment on a definite matter of urgent national importance to discuss the threats by the former Deputy President on recurrence of post-election violence in the country. I rise under Standing Order 33(1) to address a grave and urgent matter that threatens the very peace and unity of our nation – the incitement of citizens to participate in post-election violence by political leaders, especially by the former Deputy President. Hon. Speaker, our country has made significant strides in strengthening our democratic institutions since the painful memories of the 2007/2008 post-election violence. We have established a constitutional order as anchored in our Constitution – which provides for lawful, peaceful and democratic mechanisms to resolve electoral disputes. Let us not undo that progress. Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket peacefully and unarmed, but that right ends where violence begins. No leader, including the former Deputy President, has a right to manipulate public sentiments to incite unrest and call for destruction of private property – a situation that may lead to loss of innocent lives. We are all aware of the tensions that arose following the announcement of the presidential results of the 2022 general elections. We witnessed legal challenges filed in the Supreme Court pursuant to Article 140. We commend all the parties who chose to pursue justice through institutional means as expected of constitutional democracies. But, be that as it may, in recent days and weeks, we have seen reckless utterances from the former Deputy President. Whether intentionally, by negligence or out of foolishness, those utterances have slowly begun to incite pockets of unrest in parts of this country, especially in the areas surrounding Wamunyoro and Mathira. Let it be known that words have consequences. When leaders stand on podiums or go live on national television and call for confrontation instead of dialogue, they betray the very people they purport to represent. Section 13 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No.12 of 2008, criminalizes hate speech and incitement to violence. It is not a suggestion. It is the law. That law must be enforced uniformly and decisively."
}