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{
    "id": 176244,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/176244/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 262,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Wamalwa",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 148,
        "legal_name": "Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa",
        "slug": "eugene-wamalwa"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to support this Motion. I would like to start by paying tribute to you, Mr. Speaker, for your very able leadership since you were sworn in as the Speaker of this House. I remember that the first thing you said in your speech was that you are going to ensure that reforms come to this House and this country, particularly the issue of live coverage from the first day. Indeed, you indicated that by August of this year, we will have live coverage. For the first time in the history of this country, Kenyans are able to follow the proceedings of this House and see what their leaders are doing. This is a great development in our democracy. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the proposals that have been made, and what is contained in this report, must be applauded because these are changes that would actually enhance democracy in this country. There were other changes that were proposed but, during the deliberations of your Committee, they were not effected, particularly the proposal to change Part 2 of the Standing Orders about swearing in and election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of this House. Indeed, we recall the day we first came to this House. It was not an easy day for the late Ndindiri. May God rest his soul in eternal peace. As the Clerk of the National Assembly, he discharged a very difficult task. He did so very ably. Indeed, he did his work in a very humble manner. He is one of the unsung heroes of this country when history is written. The day this House was convened will always be remembered. There was a proposal in the course of the deliberations on page 10 of this Report that, perhaps, we should embrace the practice in the UK and other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth where the Member who is most senior in age and rank would preside over the elections. That was overruled and your Committee decided that we should retain the practice that you already had, where the Clerk of the House will be there to conduct the swearing-in ceremony. Given our history and what transpired here, indeed, it was a very wise decision which we must applaud the Committee for. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the issue that I feel very strongly about and that, probably, we might need to bring an amendment at the Committee Stage is something that has happened in the course of the proceedings of this House. Indeed, your rulings have been very elaborate, well researched and respected by all. There has, however, been an issue that, perhaps, came up in the course of the proceedings of this House. It raised the issue that exists in the high"
}