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{
    "id": 251973,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/251973/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 207,
    "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": "My Kiswahili experts tell me that this translates to something akin to the fact that:- \"This is an assembly of thieves, robbers and mass murderers who do not deserve to be called either honourable or leaders.\" Mr. Speaker, Sir, the presenter, in a combative tone, goes on to incite Kenyans to criminal provocation and to rise against their duly elected leaders. I quote: \"On behalf of Kenyans and for Kenyans, I would like us to prepare for battle. The battle that will take us to today's Parliament to say that we are tired of the oppression from Parliament and politicians\". To add insult to injury, the presenter further incites the citizens against their MPs, likening them to the agents of Satan, Again I quote: \"These politicians are like locusts; they are more dangerous than AIDS. My dear listener, if you look at your Member of Parliament you will see the devil, the enemy of life, livelihood and development of Kenyans\". As for the vulnerable Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Waweru imputes improper motive, by alleging that the Speaker was involved in corruption pertaining to the purchase of Continental House. He concludes that the Speaker, indeed, ought to be behind bars at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at this juncture, I must indicate that I am alive to the sagacious words of the American Statesman, Thomas Jefferson, who said: If I were to choose between a government without the media and the media without a government, I would choose the latter. Mr. Jefferson's statement underscored then, as it does today, the critical role of a free Press in any civilized and democratic society. So crucial is this freedom that there can never be a free society without free media. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is with this hindsight that my Ministry, and I believe all hon. Members of Parliament, is cognisant of media freedom and its invaluable place in society. However, we all agree that Press freedom must have checks and balances and cannot be used to undermine other freedoms."
}