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{
    "id": 324572,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/324572/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The genesis of the request is that last Wednesday, demonstrators blocked the entrance to Parliament Buildings. Some hon. Members were even made to go round the Main Gate to enter Parliament Buildings. Other hon. Members were made to get out of their cars. Abuses were hurled at us by the demonstrators. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as Members of Parliament, we also have rights While appreciating the rights of people to picket and demonstrate, we also have a right to access Parliament Buildings freely. Therefore, I thought it was incumbent upon you, as the custodian of our rights and privileges, to ensure that the entrance to Parliament Buildings is free, and that no demonstrators block it. I made it very clear that I had no problem with people demonstrating. In fact, I appreciate the fact that our Constitution guarantees Kenyans the right to picket, demonstrate, et cetera . However, those rights must be enjoyed while considering the rights of others, namely, us and other people. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Minister has given us a long-term solution, involving the making and amending of some laws, et cetera . However, what is happening today cannot wait until those laws are made. In other countries, where people exercise more rights than we do in Kenya, the police designate certain areas for picketing and demonstrating, so that the rights of other people are not infringed. I remember that as I was raising this matter on the Floor of the House on Tuesday, hon. Keter was forced by demonstrators to get out of his car and walk into Parliament Buildings. It was very nasty. We must get an immediate solution, so that a line is drawn where demonstrators can picket or demonstrate without blocking the entrance to Parliament Buildings, so that we can access these premises to work without any hindrance. Mr. Speaker, Sir, that was the gist of my point of order. Although the matter was addressed to you, the Speaker on the Chair then asked the Minister to address it. I appreciate what he has done but the ball is still in your court, because even the police can guide demonstrators on where to demonstrate. It looks like this country is a free for all. You can even go and demonstrate at someone’s house or gate. This is taking this privilege a bit too far, and I want you, as our Speaker, to rule that our gates will not be blocked at any time either by demonstrators or by any other person."
}