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{
    "id": 236528,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/236528/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 205,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kagwe",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Information and Communications",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 229,
        "legal_name": "Mutahi Kagwe",
        "slug": "mutahi-kagwe"
    },
    "content": " On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to raise a matter related to the reports in today's newspapers about the performance of Members of Parliament. Whereas it is not in the tradition of this House to respond to matters that are appearing in the Press, nonetheless, the standing of some of the hon. Members of this House is demeaned by some of these reports. I would like to give an example. On the front page of the Daily Nation today, the report clearly says that hon. David Were, an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Information and Communications has never contributed in this House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is totally wrong because hon. Were is an extremely active Member of Parliament. The HANSARD shows that he has contributed immensely on issues in this House, including contributing to Motions, Bills and answering several Questions. I have with me some of those HANSARD Reports. He is not the only hon. Member; I am just using him as an example. In making this judgement public, those concerned should learn from the House that in judging Members of Parliament, it is good to recognise the fact that Ministers and Assistant Ministers do not ask Questions. Operating from the premise of little knowledge is very dangerous. The impression that has been created by the Press is that some of our colleagues are not active when we know very well that in Committees of this House, Members of Parliament are extremely active and contribute a lot. This is, however, not on record. Therefore, I am simply seeking guidance from you: What happens when an hon. Member is said to be doing nothing because those people he represents will believe the newspapers and yet we know it here that, that hon. Member is an extremely active person in this House?"
}