HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 197089,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/197089/?format=api",
"text_counter": 296,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Affey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 381,
"legal_name": "Mohammed Abdi Affey",
"slug": "mohammed-affey"
},
"content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to support the Motion. This Motion requires the support of the hon. Members. As we all know, this country has gone through extremely very difficult times. The fact that the House had to be called earlier than scheduled did indicate the seriousness the President and the leaders in this country did take to make sure that the Peace Accord signed actually got the concurrence of this House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we need to use this opportunity given to us in order to go out and preach reconciliation and reach out to the people affected by the post-election violence. Not only that, but in order to go and visit our constituencies. As we all know, certain parts of this country are undergoing difficult times because of the drought situation, especially in the North Eastern Province. It is an opportunity for the leaders to bond and understand the difficulties the people are going through. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, having said that, what has been done in terms of the agreement can also easily be undermined by the leaders in this House. It is very important that, as we go out to speak to the constituents, the leaders avoid statements that can undermine the spirit and the text of the agreement. We all understand how important it is to nurture what has been achieved. We have got the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Others are still mourning, while others have lost their children and they cannot trace them. So, it is so critical that we use the occasion given to us not to undermine what has been achieved. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we await eagerly, as has been said by honourable Members, the formation of this Grand Coalition Government we, as leaders, should avoid to politicise certain sectors of this country which are so critical, particularly the Civil Service and the military organ. Today, I had an occasion to read The Standard and I was taken aback by leaders who are waiting for positions. In fact, the military has been reported to be doing the same. If that is true, it is a very sensitive organ of state security. We should avoid, as much as possible, to politicise it because the countries which have collapsed around us started with the politicisation of their security organs. They started with the military, police and, eventually, the whole country collapsed. If we have to promote officers in the military, we should follow the laid down procedures. I am saying this because if the General is from the ODM and the Deputy General comes from the PNU and the sergeants come from another party, this will make our country collapse as we watch. So, I would like to request our politicians not to exert pressure on the principal leadership in this country in order to politicise important institutions like the Military. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have spoken about the reconciliation, which we all want in this country. Without reconciliation, it will be difficult to achieve peace. But we must stop lobbying for positions and imagining that those positions belong to certain regions or personalities. This is because such a move will actually undermine the spirit of reconciliation. What if those positions do not come our way and we have already incited the population? I have just heard one hon. Member here say that perhaps in the next two weeks, this country will degenerate further into violence. I hope that, that does not happen. Because of those statements, I hope that the political leadership in this country will take note. With those few remarks, I hope to support."
}