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{
"id": 181636,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. C. Kilonzo",
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"speaker": {
"id": 46,
"legal_name": "Charles Mutavi Kilonzo",
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"content": "I want to give an example of a country down in the South. In the last two years, when they conducted their general election, they elected a Head of State. The Head of State defected from the party he was in and went to another party. He realised that if he allowed Parliament to sit, it would pass a vote of no confidence and throw him out. So, what he did was that immediately he defected, he sent the Members of Parliament (MPs) home. For two years, that House never sat. They went back last year and the election is due next year. For us to avoid a similar case happening in this country, this House must have its own calender. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when they tell you that a period of twelve months--- When we come for swearing in--- The swearing in ceremony is taken as one Session. We can be sworn in and come back after 11 months, and the President will be within the Constitution. Nobody can complain. We should not take things for granted. This is an error which has to he corrected because we have seen cases happening. I have given a very good example. That good example is none other than the country called Malawi. For three years, Parliament did nothing. Members of Parliament stayed at home. Now, they have come back after the Head of State has solved his political problems and the election is scheduled for next year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Section 59 shows a country which is either under dictatorship or imperial presidency. It reads as follows:- \"The President may, at any time, prorogue Parliament.\" Section 59(2) says:- \"The President may, at any time, dissolve Parliament.\" Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if a Head of State sees he is very popular after serving for three years, what would stop him from dissolving Parliament and calling an election when he, himself, is ready and his opponents are not ready? It is these Sections which must be removed. The Constitution has to be amended. There is a saying that: \"When the going gets tough, the tough get 3108 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE October 29, 2008 going.\" But in this House, when the going gets tough on the Government, it is us who are sent home. When Parliament is on recess, the Government is on honeymoon. For all that to be avoided, we have to amend the Constitution. It is very unfair when we come here in the morning and we have not been told there is going to be a Motion of Adjournment and we are sent home. That is done because we do not have our own calender. If, indeed, students in primary schools, colleges and universities know when their institutions open and close, why should the Government be afraid that Parliament resumes on date \"A\" and closes on \"B\"? The only reason is that the Government does not want Parliament to have a fair playing ground. For that reason, the Government has always used that as a weapon to cripple the operations of Parliament. A lot has been said. This is one Motion which I believe has 100 per cent support of the House. All I would appeal, as I second this Motion is that, let us move with time. Let us pass it and have a calender for this House. With those few remarks, I beg to second."
}