HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 197014,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/197014/?format=api",
"text_counter": 221,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Musyoka",
"speaker_title": "The Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 188,
"legal_name": "Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka",
"slug": "kalonzo-musyoka"
},
"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move:- THAT, this House do now adjourn until Tuesday, 15th April, 2008. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion has been necessitated by several factors. I think, first, we have to congratulate ourselves because we started big time. We did this country proud, and I believe the African continent as a whole. As we witnessed the emergence of a possible conflict, we all rose to the occasion and put it to an abrupt end. President Kibaki and hon. Raila, after signing the famous Accord on the 28th February, 2008, decided that there was need to recall Parliament slightly ahead of schedule. Ordinarily, the Tenth Parliament should have reconvened about this week. In fact, the original estimation was last Tuesday, 18th March, 2008, or thereabouts. But President Kibaki and hon. Raila agreed that they needed to reconvene the House in order to pass the two critical pieces of legislations including the all important Constitutional amendment. We all rose to the occasion and did not let them down. We debated those two Bills including getting the new Members who were nominated sworn-in. The rest of us were sworn-in, I think on 15th January, if I am not wrong. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, therefore, ordinarily, the House will adjourn until just about the time when we will then be called upon to come listen to the Annual Estimates by the Minister for Finance. But we want to make a record during this Tenth Parliament by working very hard and justifying every penny we earn as Members of Parliament. But it so happens that as a result of the National Reconciliation and Accord Act, there were some ensuing legislation that would clearly demand enactment. I am sure you will agree me, although I think, either the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, hon. Karua, with your permission, Mr. Deputy Speaker, or hon. M. Kilonzo, or hon. James Orengo who is here and the other colleagues on that side will want to elaborate. I am referring to the eight member team that did so well in trying to come up with the 396 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 25, 2008 negotiated settlement to the problem that was facing our country. Clearly, there is need to come up, for instance, as the President indicated with an Ethnic Relations Bill, Truth and Reconciliation Bill and in addition to the many other pieces of legislation which need preparations. We found that it is an opportune time to adjourn for slightly over two weeks. You must have noticed also except today when we had three or four Questions--- Many Members of Parliament may have Questions which they will wish to direct to various Ministers of Government but again we have been dealing with a half Cabinet. I am sure that President Kibaki and the Prime Minister-Designate are working round the clock to ensure that there is a new Cabinet to which then the Members can relate. I think there is need for a very well-earned break in order for us to get prepared for serious business, including giving time to the Minister for Finance to work hard and come up with Supplementary Estimates to make sure that services that our people expect from this Government do not come to a grinding halt. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is necessary for us to go on this adjournment. I want to urge all honourable colleagues to agree with the recommendation of the House Business Committee (HBC), which had to hold a special session this lunch hour. I want to thank Ms. Martha Karua for very ably chairing that session while I was talking to the headteachers at the provincial level. It is clear that it was a unanimous decision that we need to adjourn for two-and-a-half weeks. During this time, we should all manage to visit all those people who are suffering. I think it is about time we went visiting each other, so that we know each other better. There are many new hon. Members, and I think it is important that we have thanks-giving and home-coming parties. It should not just be going out there to celebrate but also to thank our people wherever they. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this break will give us the opportunity to meet our people. My time is up, and I beg to move."
}