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"id": 197001,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Keynan",
"speaker_title": "The Member for Wajir West",
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"legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. From the outset, I would like to say that the Presidential Address was a product of two great minds. It was prepared by two intelligent great minds. It was an exceptional Address. To that extent, I would like to plead with hon. Members not 388 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 25, 2008 to introduce any parochial side-shows whenever they are making contributions to this Address. What we have today, and I can proudly say so, are two great leaders who have met the expectations of every Kenyan. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the problems facing this country are a product of many things. Before the colonialist brought us together, we had equivalents of what one would call \"many nation states. I am sure each one of us will recollect that we had, for example, the Somali, Maasai and Kikuyu nation states. As a result of the scramble for Africa, we were brought together. This was not by choice, but because of the prevailing situation at that time. There are Somalis, Luos and even Luhyas living on the other side of our borders. We must accept that we are here due what I may call \" a fait accompli \". This is a reality and there is nothing we can do about it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the only worrying trend today is that everywhere, instead of talking about patriotism, we are talking about biological nationalism. This is an extreme adherence to one's genealogical origin. In the context of the modern world, this does not add any value to life. Some of the Bills that are proposed in the Address such as the Ethnic Relations Commission of Kenya Bill and the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Bill, will go a long way in addressing various issues. We need to see ourselves as Kenyan. We need to forget the cancer of regionalism and tribalism. We have trivialised everything to the extent of not believing that we have one independent country called Kenya. It should suffice to talk about our origins. We all come from different parts of this country, but we must accept that reality. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if there is one community that benefitted from the advent of multipartyism, it is the people of northern Kenya. This is a historical fact. Before 1992 we had the District Contagious Act and the emergency laws. At this stage, I want to commend the leadership of parties like the ODM, ODM(K) and KANU, for having affirmed the policy of affirmative action. For the first time in the history of this country--- The Muslims are a minority in the country. To that extent, there are even those who look at the border of Kenya that has been neglected over the years. The kind of reward we have got this time - I am not saying this because of any party - is commendable. I want to challenge those who have been rewarded to use that opportunity as a springboard, not as a benefit to themselves, but to make sure that those in the villages also realise that something commendable has happened. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, I know quite a number of us have suffered. When my colleague, the brilliant former State House Comptroller, Mr. Bett, was talking things changed. I am not discussing him. But I remember one of the incidents when he was the Comptroller of State House. Things change; you are here today, tomorrow you will be on the other side. These are the realities of life. Let us not trivialise issues that are of national importance. Let us not bring allegations--- The rules forbid; only that you ruled me out. It is illegal; it does not comply with the Standing Orders to bring an allegation here when you cannot prove---"
}