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{
    "id": 345998,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/345998/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 388,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "of those who have been given these awards in the previous number of years in order to give meaning to this legislation that we are enacting. Every time I remember names like Bishop Okulu, Jean Marie Sironey, Martin Shikuku, Wangari Maathai and many others. I also remember Timothy Njoya who is still alive. I keep asking myself; must we wait for Rev. Timothy Njoya to die before we hear messages from State House recognizing him leading as if we are shedding crocodile’s tears to honour those who have made it possible for them to sit in this House and for them to enjoy the benefits of retirement as we will be debating later on this afternoon and yet they go naked? They go without clothes, shoes and have no accommodation. We have been struggling to see the IDPs Bill assented to by the President. These are men and women who are still languishing in IDP camps; some of them for no fault of their own. These are the true heroes of this country; the people who have accommodated these people. These are the families that have given meaning to what is Kenyan civic responsibility; those who have been offering shelter to the victims who have been driven away from their homes and have been staying in conditions of utter poverty. It is time to recognize the men and women who give accommodation to these helpless people. This is the time to create a category under all our national legislations where people who make little gains and contributions like taking someone who has been left on the road to die to a hospital and a baby who has been abandoned are recognized. These are the babies who become heroes. We need to recognize and show the people of Kenya that it is these common acts of humanity that we must recognize. Therefore, I am happy when I see that there is a Committee where recommendations should be made. The Committee can move forward and recommend to the President. We must make clear provisions that when the recommendations go to the President, he must act upon them within a specific time limit. We do not want a situation where the House passes legislation, making recommendations and enacts laws and people sit without putting them into effect. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Bill is the best example where the provisions of the Constitution say very clearly that if you fail to sign a Bill into law and you do not bring a memorandum to the House, it becomes an Act of Parliament after two weeks. This is the case and yet nothing has happened. The Attorney-General does not move in and no explanation is given even when the President is signing a Bill into law more than three months after the constitutionally mandated period. So, we must have specific provisions to the effect that where the recommendations of the Committee are made, the President must not only act within time but must have a specific ceremony at State House where these men and women can be conferred with these honours under the glare of publicity that they deserve and where Kenyans can give them recognition and honour. Let us have a due national holiday at the national stadium where these celebrations are taking place or a special dais for these people who have been given honours. We must have a freedom of the city for these people. When they come to Nairobi, for example, David Rudisha should drive in Nairobi and park anywhere within the City of Nairobi because they have given this country a name and recognition. So, the City of Nairobi ought to be obligated to give the Freedom of the city to these people. These people should enjoy these facilities for free in the cities of Kisumu, Mombasa and"
}