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"id": 180667,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/180667/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ethuro",
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"speaker": {
"id": 158,
"legal_name": "Ekwee David Ethuro",
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"content": "The only reason why America can have a President with roots from Kenya is becauss the American Presidential Election System has very clear principles and doctrines of separation of powers. This Motion is trying to ensure that we have a calendar of events that will make sure that the Executive does not monopolise the Legislature. As we celebrate Senator Barrack Obama as President-elect--- We should know that he is only going to be referred to as President-elect until 20th January. Their time table is very clear that 4th November, is a day to carry out the elections. It has a tradition in rural America. They needed a whole day to walk from Monday, because they were peasant farmers, to go and vote. Hon. Members should understand me. I will finish with the swearing-in. I am talking about how the election day was fixed. There is 4th November, which is set aside for the actual voting. It is a specified calendar and everybody, including every Senator and Governor, knows that. Every citizen of America knows when it is time to go for elections and when to campaign. Remember, you do not have to lose your job in order to campaign. Even Sarah Palin will go back to Alaska as the Govenor. Yes, we can! In our own small ways, speaking from the Floor of the 10th Parliament, we can. Hon. Members, especially from the Goverment side, I want to appreciate your support. We have also added that it would have been better if it came through a comprehensive constitutional reform system. That is all our wish. As I said when I moved this Motion, we have been waiting for the promise of a new constitution. We cannot wait any longer. If there is something we can do in the meantime, so be it. In any case, whose responsibility is this? Whose responsibility is it? Who has been given the mandate by the people of the Republic of Kenya to bring legislation, change the Constitution and administer this country properly, if it is not that side of the House? They have failed! We are only doing our part as Members representing the people to remind them that this is good. In fact, if you noticed--- I want to thank hon. Mungatana because he has basically drawn from his previous portfolio, not the current one of Medical Services of inspecting hospitals and dispensaries. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, where is the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs to give a considered opinion? The Leader of Government Business told us last Wednesday that he could not answer certain Questions because he needed expertise and the specifics that can only come from the relevant Minister. I know that hon. Mungatana stepped in, and rightly so, and he did justice to it! I am also sure, because he is recognising that the responsible Minister is the Party Leader of NARC-Kenya. 3296 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 5, 2008 Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion is asking this nation to trust institutions; that no matter how good, how beautiful or how handsome our presidents may be, they can be subject to mood swings. In fact, if you get one who may decide one day he is just going to wake up and then he realises actually that he has power in the Constitution, not even in a law! In the Constitution - Section 59(a)! He may prorogue and, 59(b), he may dissolve! No reasons need to be given and all 222 Members, both elected and nominated, leaders of this country, can be sent home! It is only Ministers who are cushioned. They cannot be sent home immediately. That is why I am bringing another Motion where we are going to reduce the Cabinet size--- In fact, it will be a Bill because the Motion has been passed. I want to ensure that those predatory tendencies by the Executive are curtailed once and for all! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am excited to belong to the Tenth Parliament! I am excited that there is unity of purpose across the political divide, regardless of whether you are on the Government side or in the Back Benches! I want to thank all the hon. Members who have said: Our salvation will be our institutions. The institution of Parliament is the most supreme institution in this country! Imagine, with the events of early in the year, when the issue of the presidency was being contested, at least, Parliament was not in contention! So, to what extent would anybody have trusted the President to convene this Parliament? If the President realized that he should not convene Parliament, what would you have done? Nothing! We would have gone back to the streets, killing more people as if the over 1,200 dead and more than half a million displaced were not enough! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is why we want this institution of Parliament to be the one that can determine its calender and its job! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have done it! That is why I like this Motion coming at this time of Obama - yes we can! We did it with the Parliamentary Service Commission. We did it with the Leader of the Official Opposition. We are doing it with the Official Opposition Bill. We are doing it with the establishment of the Budget Office and we are doing it with the Cabinet size! Yes we can! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rest my case and I beg to move."
}