Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 194849,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/194849/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 191,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Linturi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 69,
        "legal_name": "Franklin Mithika Linturi",
        "slug": "franklin-linturi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. Let me start by saying that there is every need to have a structured and recognized official Opposition in this House to check on the excesses of the Government. It is common knowledge and true that a Government without an opposition can easily transform itself into a conspiracy against the people of Kenya. The excesses and over-indulgence of the Government can only be checked by an organized and a recognized opposition. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we all agree that this House was once rushed into passing a law that we believe is bad. I believe and trust the minds that really sat down for very many days trying to come up with the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill, that made this country to be in the situation that it is today. However, they did not think outside the box as my friend, hon. Namwamba, has said. They did not come up with a structure that would have established an Opposition which is so important to this House. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I believe that Kenya being a multiparty democracy, it was not just easy to establish a multiparty democracy. This practice is borrowed. It is not an invention of this country. However, it is a practice that we have come to embrace because it is for the common good. It checks and makes sure that there is good governance. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I would want to refer to the late 1980s and early 1990s when this country had a single-party system. The Executive would conspire and silence those dissenting Members, that would not agree with them. That is why we found that, in most cases, the Prime Minister of this country was a regular client at Kamiti Maximum Prison. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we also note and remember very well that, immediately the negotiations were going on for the formation of a Grand Cabinet, Members were heard loudly talking about taking Ministries that had steak and they did not want those that had bones. There is a clear indication that the interests and intentions of the Cabinet and Government that we want to check are only about eating and amassing so much. Their interest is not to serve the Kenyan public. So, it is very important that we support this Motion, so that we can come up with a structure on how we can have an officially-recognized Opposition that will be responsible for giving official replies to Government Motions and Bills. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, when I look at the constitution of the Cabinet, and hon. Members will agree with me--- We realise that when \"Wanjiku\" sent away 70 per cent of the Members of the Ninth Parliament, it was a clear indication that \"Wanjiku\" was tired and she wanted change. But what do we see today? About 70 per cent of this Cabinet is composed of that \"thing\"; the old recycled material that has gone into records. It is composed of those that served in the Moi regime that really ran down this country. It is unfortunate that they are now in charge of public funds. We really need to make sure that we have a system that is in a position to keep them on their toes for the sake and good of this country. With those few remarks, I beg to second."
}