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"id": 174583,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Maj-Gen. Nkaisserry",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Defence",
"speaker": {
"id": 192,
"legal_name": "Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to support this very important Motion. First of all, I would like to send a very peaceful Merry Christmas message to Kajiado Central constituents and to Members of Parliament of this House. This is a very important recess for us Members of Parliament. We have several issues which need to be addressed during the recess. The Government also has a lot to do during this recess. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Members of Parliament are law makers, implementors of the laws they make as well as the people's representatives. Therefore, as we proceed on recess, we will be carrying out these three very heavy responsibilities. The issue of constitutional review is paramount to this country. Since 2003, we have been talking about making a new Constitution for Kenya. What befell this country at the beginning of this year is as a result of failure by leaders to provide a new Constitution. I am grateful to hon. Members of this House for nominating me to be a Member of the Constitution of Kenya Review Select Committee. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I believe that the Committee will do everything within its powers to ensure equity, and that the best Constitution is given to Kenyans by ensuring that when it comes to appointing commissioners, the issue of equity is taken into consideration. In the previous attempt, only the big communities were represented in the commission. This time round, we will ensure that people of integrity push the agenda for constitutional reforms. It is because of Mr. Speaker's good leadership that this House was able to approve the new Standing Orders, which will enable this House to process all the laws in the most appropriate and efficient manner. When we go on recess, we should be preaching peace and stability of our country. We should be preaching patriotism and unity of the country. We, as a country, are one people. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as Members of Parliament, it will be important for us to create a peace caravan and take it through the constituencies which are prone to cattle rustling. It will be important that the Chair facilitates the Amani Forum to carry on with this very important mission. Another issue I would like to touch on very quickly is that of development. We had created the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) and the Women Enterprise Development Fund (WEDF). It is very unfortunate that Government money is being channelled to these groups of people through commercial banks, which are charging between 8 per and 15 per cent interest. We should channel that money through the district accountants and cashiers, so that no interest will be charged. It is very important to do so. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, another issue I would like to talk about is food security. We have a looming famine. The Government should take appropriate actions immediately to ensure that the famine, which is almost at this country's doorstep, is taken care of. We must be proactive. We have a problem of waiting until the real famine takes its toll to respond. That will not be anything of December 17, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 4205 importance. The other issue I would like to mention is the Waki Report. I read it. I have three concerns: One, on page five of that Report, the Commissioners admit that they relied on information given to it by the civil society only. We should be very careful to ensure that this country is not driven by civil society. My other concern is on page 17, which says that there is no evidence adduced. So, how do we implement this Report? With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}