HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 254090,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/254090/?format=api",
"text_counter": 107,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Maj. Madoka",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 254,
"legal_name": "Marsden Herman Madoka",
"slug": "marsden-madoka"
},
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. As I was saying, the establishment of the Government of National Unity was supposed to bring us together, but it has failed to do so. The point I am trying to make is that when we sought direction from the Chair on the constitutionality aspect of the NARC Government \"poaching\" hon. Members from the Opposition into Government, and we failed to get that direction, we went to court. Now, I feel very strongly that the Speaker should have joined hands with, maybe, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as well as with the Attorney-General, to ensure that either a constitutional court is set up to look into the matter, or the court is forced to take immediate action in giving a proper constitutional interpretation, so that we know whether this House is operating legally or not. April 5, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 337 Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, once we lose that direction in this House, we continue to lose direction even in the Executive Arm of the Government. It has become very clear that even within the Executive Arm of the Government, there is no direction, as witnessed in this very House. For example, we had the Question on the alleged mercenaries asked in this House, but there was no clear direction as to which Ministry was responsible for answering it. Even the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ms. Karua, did agree that there was confusion. We cannot afford to have confusion in the Executive Arm of the Government. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was surprised the day when we, in the Opposition, organised a peaceful demonstration to protest violation by the Government of certain fundamental rights of the people, a group of Cabinet Ministers organised a counter-demonstration. Did they demonstrate against the people of Kenya or against themselves or against who? It was not proper for Cabinet Ministers to organise demonstrations. If the Ministers wanted to demonstrate that the Government was still in place and strong, they did not have to do it that way. That was obviously a sign of a Government which was running scared of the Opposition and the people of Kenya. If the Government is strong and in command, it should be seen to be running this country. Cabinet Ministers should not use cheap tactics such as organising street demonstrations. That lack of direction can be seen in other institutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the President spoke about corruption. We agree that a lot of steps have been taken to try and curb corruption. We are happy to see the steps being taken, but the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) is a bit too slow. We need to give it extra capacity. What concerns me about the KACC is when it starts making claims and counter-claims with the people whom it is supposed to be investigating in the media. If the Commission continues that way, then it will be losing the respect that we expect to give it. If proper direction is not provided, we will get into a lot of trouble. The Government seems to be so obsessed with the activities of a few individuals that it continues to address itself to these particular individuals. Every move that Ministers make is to counter these few individuals and then they lose direction. They stop being focused. The Government needs to be focused. Having said that, we, as leaders too, have to act responsibly. We have to have mutual respect amongst us. We must respect the institution of the President. The institution of the President, which is the symbol of the Government unity should be respected. There should be no compromise when it comes to that. The Government needs to continue looking at national issues, for example, famine. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}