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{
    "id": 206849,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/206849/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 165,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Shaaban",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Local Government",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 262,
        "legal_name": "Isaack Shaban",
        "slug": "isaack-shaaban"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to join my colleagues who said that Kenyan missions abroad should have their own buildings, and should not be house in rented premises. As Members of Parliament, August 28, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3511 when we travel abroad, we realise that there are various Kenyan missions which are at the mercy of landlords. Sometimes they are even threatened with eviction, whenever rent is due and delayed. So, our missions abroad, which are the image of our country, should be accorded that due respect by being given a chance to have their own buildings. Kenya has contributed a lot to the UN, particularly with regard to peace-keeping. Our troops, which have been to many countries, have gained fame, thereby putting the name of Kenya in the international arena. Kenya is now an important country with regard to peace-keeping. We, as a country, will endeavour to bring peace in the world. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is no longer the time when ambassadors used to be posted abroad and their core business was being in geo-politics. The most they could do was to relate politics in the international arena to their country. These days the most important business of an ambassador of any country is trade. He or she should bring international trade between his or her country and countries abroad. Therefore, it is important that our ambassadors are versed in international trade, so as to enhance trade between Kenya and the foreign countries they serve. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to join my colleagues who said we need to diversify our foreign policy. We know that, many times, the Kenyan foreign policy has been leaning towards the West. We have also been dependent on foreign aid a lot and other relations with the West. I would like to say that we diversify our foreign policy and have more friends who can help and develop this country. The President's visit to China and the Middle East has been welcome. It will enhance trade between Kenya and countries in the Middle East, which we have been having very little relations with. That foreign policy is very important. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we, as a country, should also be guided by our national interests. We should also guard that national interest. Our foreign policy should not be inferior to foreign policies of other countries. We should not be subjected to foreign policies of other countries. Many times we find that we belittle Kenya's foreign policy. It surprises to see that we try to adopt foreign policies of other countries and leave ours. At the end of the day, we find that the name of this very important country is tarnished because sometimes we are subjected to foreign policies of other countries and we think that they are superior to our own foreign policy. In this way we lose our national interest. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}