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"speaker_name": "Eng. Gumbo",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to support the Motion of Adjournment. December 17, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 4185 In supporting this Motion, I join my fellow colleagues in thanking the Almighty God for having kept this country together. Indeed, at the beginning of this year, most of us being first-time Members of Parliament, the future of Kenya looked very uncertain. We even began to wonder whether it was, indeed, a good thing to join politics. We thank God that we are now one country and I hope that we, as leaders of this country, will do everything possible to ensure that Kenya remains as one country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as we adjourn, I think the most important item in the calender of this House, come next year, will be to give Kenyans a new Constitution. My prayer is that the Constitution that we will give to Kenyans will be one that restores the dignity of Kenyans. It will be one that ensures that Kenya, indeed, becomes a land of plenty. We all know that one of the main problems that we have had to grapple with as a nation is the culture of impunity. Many of us in this country get into problems - problems that, probably, we have created ourselves. When we are cornered, we retreat to that cocoon called \"tribe\" to try and whip up tribal support. The culture of impunity must be fought at all times! Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think it is also important that, as a nation, we must turn a new leaf in the chapter of this country. Many times, we hear people, even in this House, who proudly talk of their wealth. In fact, some of us who may not be that wealthy are always derided. But I think that, as a nation, we must now move on and stress--- Mahatma Gandhi said: \"Wealth without work must always be classified as a deadly sin.\" Mr. Speaker, Sir, as we move to the next year, it is important that Kenyans should from now henceforth, be judged by the content of their character. Every Kenyan born wherever they are should have equal opportunity to lead this country as long as they have what it takes to do so. Finally, I want to conclude by saying that in my heart, I believe that this country is a land of opportunity, but it is our own actions that have made it impossible for Kenyans to enjoy those opportunities equally. I think it is important for us, as leaders, that as we embark on the process of making a new Constitution, we must ensure that it guarantees equitable resource distribution, so that every Kenyan wherever they are, as they go to bed everyday, they must do so on a full belly. It is, indeed, the fact that we are unable to distribute our resources equitably that has made us the laughing stock of the world. Today, we hear foreigners telling us how to run our country, but I believe that there is no country in the world which is perfect. We see what is happening in the world, and it is time we, as Kenyans, did everything in a way that tells foreigners: Yes, we, as Kenyans, know we have problems but if we are to get solutions, those solutions must come from us, as Kenyans. Indeed, if there are exemplary countries in the world, and we see what is happening, why would it be possible that when the heads of those so called exemplary countries go to other parts of the world, all we see is them inviting high velocity boots to their heads? That clearly shows that not everybody agrees with what they do! Mr. Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to support and wish everyone of us a merry Christmas and a happy new year."
}