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{
    "id": 193571,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/193571/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 33,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mrs. Mugo",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 85,
        "legal_name": "Beth Wambui Mugo",
        "slug": "beth-mugo"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to also contribute to this Motion on the Floor. It is a very sad Motion for this House as well as the nation. When the news came yesterday, I, personally, was chairing a meeting of the Heads of Departments in my Ministry. As we finished the meeting, we were informed of the sad happening. Everybody just stopped; stunned! We are still stunned. It is difficult to even understand or accept what has happened. It is a time to turn to God and ask for strength not only for the nation and this House, but also for the family members who have been left behind. I, personally, have, especially, worked with hon. Kipkalya Kones in the two Parliaments; one, when he was nominated and also when he was elected. His contributions in this House were of the highest quality. He was somebody who had foresight and vision not only for the people of his constituency, but also the people of this country. Sometime a few years back, I invited hon. Kones to my house for lunch. We sat with a few other leaders and my family. He immediately became a friend to my husband. They discussed many other things other than just leadership. At that time, we were concerned about the unity of the country. We were all talking about how, as leaders, we must lead the country and unite our people, instead of making divisions. It is something that he upheld. We and a few others agreed that, that was the right way to go. I still want to implore this House, in memory of our leaders, that we must follow that route of unity, caring and building a strong Kenya. That is exactly what they have been doing for the last few months as they served in the Coalition Government. So, in hon. Kones, we have lost a national leader; somebody of great experience who will be difficult to replace, even for the nation and the people of Bomet. For hon. Lorna Laboso, I first felt angry. I had to confess and ask for forgiveness from God. I asked: \"Why a woman when we are so few in this House?\" She is somebody who had shown exemplary leadership. I did not know her before, but I have sat with her in our Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) meetings. I have seen her vibrant leadership also in this House. She was always laughing, happy, ready to comfort and offer help. For us, especially as women Members of Parliament, we really feel that, that is a big loss. That is because we do not even know whether another woman will be elected. I hope that they elect another woman in that constituency to bring to us another Lorna. On Sunday is when I last saw hon. Lorna Laboso. She joined us in Limuru as there was a celebration for the Member for Limuru. She came from her celebrations on Saturday and stopped at Limuru to join us. She was happy. She addressed the meeting in Limuru. Those of us who were there shared a meal together. It is difficult even to say now that it has happened. I send my condolences and those of my constituents to the families."
}