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"speaker_name": "Mr. Musyoka",
"speaker_title": "The Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs",
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"legal_name": "Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka",
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion, having given notice of the same when His Excellency the President addressed the nation. THAT, the thanks of this House be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in His Excellency's Presidential Address from the Chair on Thursday, 6th March, 2008. On the outset, I would like to pay tribute to His Excellency the President for the exposition of public policy contained in that Address. I would also like to pay tribute to all hon. Members for being here today. I know that, at the informal Sessions, we had an occasion to congratulate each other. However, the fact that we are here as Members of the Tenth Parliament, is, indeed, a very historic occurrence. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to congratulate each and everyone of us for the battles that we fought valiantly for the defence of this country; the defence of the principles that we hold dear as a country, including the rule of law. We may at times have over-shot and I know that for those cases, we will have an occasion to address ourselves candidly. Mr. Speaker Sir, we have a very historic moment as the 10th Parliament to deliver what this country has been yearning for, for over a decade, namely, a new constitutional dispensation. We have made a few false starts, including a very serious one at Bomas, but we fell shot of our peoples's expectations. Indeed, I dare suggest that the violence we saw during and after the December 27th General Election has a direct bearing on the fact that we have failed as leaders to give Kenyans a new Constitution. I have heard commentators say that there comes a time when in the history of a nation, some constitutional moments arise. I think now we have a constitutional moment in this country. I want to suggest that we do not let the country down. Allow me to pay tribute to Mr. Raila who joined His Excellency the President on 28th February, during that very historic signing of what will be coming before this House. In thanking President Kibaki and Mr. Raila, I will be remissive if I do not pay tribute to the African Union (AU) and the pride they have been to all of us, not just to this country but to the entire continent. That Africans have come of age and they can rally behind one of their members in moments of crisis and bring an abrupt end to the crisis. Therefore, when President Kufuor of Ghana, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union flew in promptly and held consultations, and before he left he said that he would send a team of eminent personalities, perhaps the world did not take him seriously. However, it did not take long before His Excellency Dr. Kofi Annan together with Her Excellency Graca Machel and His Excellency William Mkapa came to Kenya and stay the course until an accord was reached. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in between, many other friends came in believing that if a neighbour's house is on fire, then, indeed, one would come with a bucket of water or whatever it is at their disposal to put out the fire. Therefore, all the wonderful people - Bishop Desmond Tutu, the retired President Chissano and the former President of Botswana. All of them came, including former Zambian President, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda. We want to pay tribute to them for the concern they showed during those moments. Indeed, although we are strictly not out of the woods yet, but I think we would be selfish if we did not recognize the wonderful contribution of African eminent personalities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the neighbouring March 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 67 United Republic of Tanzania and the new Chair of the African Commission, came in, in a quick succession. President Kikwete's arrival in Kenya was particularly divine. That is because it was at a time when His Excellency, Kofi Annan had announced to everybody the shock that he had suspended the talks. That is when President Kikwete and the new Chair of the African Union arrived. He did not leave until the signing ceremony. Mr. Speaker, Sir, all of us feel greatly appreciative of the efforts of Africa. But, of course, this matter belongs to all of us! That is why, in the first place, President Kibaki and Hon. Raila deserve a special mention and congratulations and, indeed, all of us. We had been active participants. Even where we apparently were not as active as Members of Parliament, I think we were all cheering from the rear. Therefore, very quickly, Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to also thank, specially, the teams of able negotiators. Even Kofi Annan himself was able to confide in me that he could not have had meetings with better minds. On the Government coalition side, as it then was, were hon. Martha Karua, hon. Moses Wetangula, Prof. Sam Ongeri and hon. Mutula Kilonzo. I think they all deserve commendation."
}