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{
    "id": 255813,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/255813/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 133,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": "Indeed, if you are innocent, why do you not tell that to the judge or the investigator and then you will be acquitted once and for all? From both sides of the House, unless, as national leaders, we support the war against graft, it is not possible for this country to move forward in development. Whether we change this Government or the next one, we all need to have some level of commitment. I am calling upon leaders in this House, our professionals and citizens of this country to support the war against corruption. If you have been called upon to answer questions, why do you not answer them? After all, the investigators are not choosing. They are seeking answers from both sides of the political divide; from the mighty and from the lowly placed. So, let us support them. Where do we want to go as a nation? Do we want to ensure that we change our ethics and then attend to development in a way that can benefit this country? Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kenyans are watching us. We can congratulate ourselves all we want, but it is the conduct of each one of us that will determine what history records as our contribution, or lack of it, to issues in this country. We are entitled to disagree. We are also entitled to pursue our different political agenda as Government or Opposition. However, there must be a minimum whereupon we are called by patriotism to this nation and where we must be able to work together to get this country going. We are seeking support from all the Members of this House and from the citizens of this 23 March, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 65 country on the issue of constitutional review process. We have had calls for dialogue. Sincerely speaking, we embrace dialogue. The Eminent Persons Committee is a vehicle for dialogue. It is not practical to expect that either the Head of State or Ministers will sit down and dialogue with Kenyans. In my view, it is even better when a committee of civilians helps us to channel our ideas, back and forth, so that this House can be informed when it meets to agree on the legal framework that will guide this country. It is not practical to expect that all sides of the political divide must be asked to bring in members to a committee that is meant to facilitate dialogue. There must be a minimum that the Government can do. However, when it comes to contentious issues, it is a must that consultations be conducted with regard to the different shades of opinion and who must represent them in those negotiations. That is truly critical. However, when it is about facilitating a dialogue, surely, it is not reasonable to seek representation."
}