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"speaker_name": "Mr. Michuki",
"speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Administration and National Security",
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"content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was going to thank you before I was interrupted and to appreciate your indulgence in giving me the opportunity to make my contribution to this Motion. April 5, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 445 The IPU is an institution that is committed to the promotion of parliamentary democracy; democracy that respects the rule of law and recognises each country's culture and embraces the modern concepts of a democratic state. It is because we have these attributes and others that we are members of that union. A few years ago, while in the Opposition, I attended one of these assemblies in Thailand and I was very appreciative of the agenda that had been set. The Assembly was discussing issues related to international trade; the World Trade Organisation, and in relation to concessions that are yet to be settled with regard to the countries that are developing and their entitlement to participation in trade. It was the case, as, indeed, it is the case even today, that countries such as Kenya would continue to express the view that if given the choice, we would prefer to be given the opportunity to trade rather than to receive aid. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, trade, by the very nature of the commodities that we produce here, has a continuous life. It has a long-lasting life and unlike aid which has conditions which are attached to it, it would promote democracy, which is also promoted by such meetings as was held in Switzerland. This is an institution that we should continue to support with views and even financially. If you look at our national budget, you will find that there is a very huge item relating to Kenya's contribution to international organisations, one of which is the IPU. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, therefore, the benefits that we receive from unions such as the IPU, is that community of opinion in matters of interest where we are able to access our participation in relation to the wishes of other countries. Democracy is what we have been striving for. It is my opinion that in that field of democracy and in a country such as Kenya, democratic principles are likely to be mistaken for what I would call a licence to do almost anything that one wants. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you look at our own Constitution, you will realise that it provides for all aspects of human rights and freedoms, but many people forget that those freedoms end where another person's freedoms begin. In other words, they are not absolute freedoms. For example, you have the freedom of movement, to go anywhere you like in Kenya. However, if you go to my shamba without my permission, the law permits me to take you to court for trespass because your right of movement does not extend to entering my shamba . That right allows you to move on the highways. So, other people will abuse that right, because they want to invade other people's properties as it happened in parts of some Nairobi constituencies that I know about. People have the right to demonstrate on the streets, but they should follow the law. You are asked to report to the police that you intend to have a demonstration two days before the day of that demonstration, to enable the police arrange for that other person who must also enjoy the right of movement, which you might impede when you occupy the entire road and other areas through which they should pass. It may be a person taking his child to hospital, but during what you call the exercise of your right, you have blocked that person's right to get his child treated in hospital. So, freedoms are relative, and that is what is interesting about democracy. It will give you freedom, but continue to remind you that the rights of others also exist, and that you, in your exercise of the rights that you enjoy, should respect other people's rights. In so far as I can see, in our political field, the situation is so misunderstood that we continue to argue, and even quarrel, over matters which are very straightforward. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to make it quite clear in this House, and for the record, that in the annals of the history of this country I have never, as the Minister or otherwise, ordered anybody to shoot and kill. I have never given such an order. There are people who are supposed to know what the situation is, but who have fallen into the trap of newspapers, particularly The Standard, which wants to vilify me and this Government. Because we carried out 446 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 5, 2007 an operation, which was official, they continue to avenge themselves by telling false stories about myself and the Government for which I work."
}