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{
"id": 174915,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/174915/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. M. Kilonzo",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development",
"speaker": {
"id": 47,
"legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo",
"slug": "mutula-kilonzo"
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want us to recollect that what is happening in the country is not unusual. Allow me to remind the country that during the just ended elections when President-elect Obama was elected, California conducted a referendum on the issue of gay marriages, and the citizens of the United States of America (USA) in California voted against gay marriages. As I speak to you, the campaign to reverse that decision is on and the media has taken sides on the issue. I would like to remind this honourable House, and the country, that the Kriegler Commission Report, that we adopted barely two weeks ago, had a very stinging attack and criticism of institutions in the country, particularly the media; that is, FM stations and the print Press. Therefore, when they come to this issue, they should not appear to be preaching to politicians and claiming that they are holier than thou, because that is not correct. I would also like to remind the House, and the country, that the legislative authority of Kenya is vested in Parliament by Section 33 of the Constitution of Kenya. I want to raise those issues, so that in your considered opinion, look at them with the strength of character that has emerged whenever you open your mouth to talk to the country, so that it is understood once and for all that the legislative authority of the country is vested in Parliament. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of this Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill, the legislative authority has not yet expired. It will only expire if the President refuses to sign that Bill into law, or if he signs it into law. Therefore, that process is in hand and it is very important for all of us. I share the views of those who have been attacked. Personally, I have been a subject of the 4122 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 16, 2008 media many times, but I want to remind the country, and the media itself, that when human beings stumble, they do not stumble on mountains. They stumble on small stones. There are signs that we are on a course to stumble on stones. The process of legislation on the media law is not complete. Therefore, that is very important. As you consider this very important issue, please, be guided by the principles that have brought this country so far. Those are the principles of tolerance and the principle that we are engaged in a very serious exercise, and when Parliament exercise its authority under Section 33, that authority is subject to audit by the country and the world. We cannot escape from that, notwithstanding passing of a law, however beautiful that law is. The right of political audit by the country will continue and that is what brings in the media. Mr. Speaker, Sir, therefore, as Parliament or media, we should not stumble on a stone. I have looked at the HANSARD, and the Order Paper of that day had an amendment proposed on the Floor of this House. For some reason, because I was not in this country, I cannot tell whether that amendment was either executed, advocated or put across. But the media must accept that Parliament exercised its authority on that law. Therefore, as they criticise, they should not tumble on stones."
}