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"speaker_name": "Mr. Namwamba",
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"legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I support the Motion of adjournment. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, reflecting on the events of earlier this year; events that have to a large extent shaped a year that has been momentous in a great way, it reminds me of an African saying that if you want to go fast, you walk alone. But if you want to go far, you walk with others. The beginning of this year started on fire. Each one of us was in a hurry to get to some unknown destination; walking alone. We walked alone as political parties. We walked alone as regions and tribes. But, today, we end this year a lot wiser; wiser in the knowledge that it takes trees to make a forest. Indeed, there is no man that is an island. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we can look back at this year and celebrate some momentous successes. We managed to put in place a National Accord that anchored the Grand Coalition Government, whose benefits we have witnessed. We have managed to reform the institution of Parliament by adopting new Standing Orders. This year also brought great sporting success to this country, when our national olympic team scored, perhaps, the greatest performance in the history of the olympic games this year. So, we have had highlights that we can look back at and celebrate. But there are challenges that remain and which we must face, and challenges that we must reflect on as we head to the recess. They remain gigantic. I want to challenge hon. Members that, as we go on this recess, we should take time to reflect and reconnect with the people of this country. The only way to reconnect with this country is December 17, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 4207 to address the high cost of living that has seen many Kenyans go from day to day with great difficulties. We can reconnect with our conscience by looking into the causes that almost brought this country to the brink, and finding a lasting solution to the history of impunity that has defined this country for 45 years. We can reconnect with the future by granting this country a new constitutional dispensation; a dispensation that will, for the first time, replace the rule of man with the rule of law where, what is just and right will pass in the place of what is might. We can reconnect with the civil libertarian principles that informed the bulk of this country by guaranteeing free press, where the media can exercise their role freely, but also responsibly. That is because there are no rights in any society that are not accompanied by responsibilities. I want to say that we should also reflect on some of the decisions that we have taken during this Session. One of those decisions affect the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). I want to urge the Government to implement Section 2 of the Constitution of Kenya(Amendment) Bill, 2008, which we passed a couple of days ago, that requires the Government to put in place administrative measures that would see the redeployment and absorption of the ECK secretariat staff within the Public Service. I hope that the Government did not make that commitment merely for purposes of winning a concession from hon. Members, but there is a real commitment to take care of the interest of the ECK secretariat staff. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me take this opportunity to thank the Government and many Kenyans who came to the aid of my constituency in Budalangi during the floods that hit the constituency six weeks ago. I want to thank the Government for the humanitarian support. I also want to thank individual Members of Parliament, like Mheshimiwa Muthama here, who have been in the forefront of reaching out to the people of Budalangi. I want to thank everybody for that support. I want to say that in the spirit of reform that is informing the end of this session, when we reconvene the next session in March, may we grab the opportunity that has been opened by the new Standing Orders to have an official Opposition outfit in this House in the form of an Opposition caucus. Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish hon. Members, people of Budalangi and all Kenyans a merry Christmas and exceptional 2009. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}