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{
    "id": 239410,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/239410/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 262,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Balala",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 9,
        "legal_name": "Najib Mohamed Balala",
        "slug": "najib-balala"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am very reluctant to support this Motion. We work only three days in a week. The Committees are working. Even though we are on duty in Parliament, we should visit our constituencies weekly or fortnightly. It is important to be with your constituents every now and then. Adjourning for long recess has been a system of the colonialists. We still suffer from colonial hangover. The system was based on the country's agricultural seasons. Today, we have technology and modernization of agriculture. What are we doing to change this system? If we truly believe in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), we should consider its agenda. We should not just look at the PSC in terms of raising our salaries but also in terms of its programmes vis-a-vis the House business calendar. With due respect to the presidency, the calendar of Parliament should not be left to the discretion of the President. Parliament needs to have its own independent business calendar. I believe that we can do this in the next Session. Bills are of paramount importance to this country. However, it has been said that we spend 75 per cent of our time deliberating Budgets. As a House, we are being blamed of not being productive. Our work is not seen by the public. 2622 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 3, 2006 Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we need fairness. It is inscribed at the Bar the words \"For the Welfare of Society and the Just Government of Men\". What justice are we talking about when we discriminate against some of our own in the appointment of the membership of House Committees because of their political stand and affiliation? There have been reconciliatory talks but those talks have been held with only a few selected individuals. I believe that there is a way forward in everything. We have had the power struggle problem because we have a strongman power syndrome in this country. I believe that the time is now to introduce minimum amendments to the Constitution and \"demonise\" the struggle for the presidency by devolving power to the people through the introduction of majimboism in Kenya. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we should empower our people to run their own country. All successful countries of the world have a federal system of Government. We need to eradicate the monster in our Presidency. The coming President may be a worse monster than the current one. We are setting a very dangerous precedent. People are hungry for power, not to serve their people. It is high time that leaders give services to the people. Our political parties system is flawed. We know that currently, the big tribes are taking advantage of the small ones. People with big numbers have been taking advantage of the minority. We need to change our political framework and system and have a party system that is all- inclusive, one which can eradiate nepotism and tribalism and be sensitive to marginalised communities and other minority groups. What is going on in Kenyan politics is not fair. Leaders are out to achieve heroism and form tribal networks because of their numbers. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, tell me whether, in this country, we have a Kenya Arab who is in a top Government position. There is none because the tribe is a minority and so, it is marginalised. It is not fair to say that anyone can go to Maasailand and buy land, as long as there is a willing buyer and a willing seller, yet Maasais are discriminated against in terms of education, health and other resources. That is a recipe for tribal clashes and for creating hatred among Kenyans. We have a responsibility, as leaders and as a Government, to unite this country, eradicate hatred and stop discriminating our people. It is time to reconcile for the good cause of this country. I reluctantly support."
}