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{
    "id": 346501,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/346501/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 458,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Foreign Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when I look at this Bill, I find it is extremely unreconciling with the views being expressed by my colleagues as regards the Presidential benefits or for any other officer within this House. Earlier on this afternoon we were all quite enthusiastic and happy splashing accolades on the work and the job that has been done by this Parliament and also the job and work that has been done by the President. It, therefore, becomes very incongruous to suggest otherwise that if you indeed accept the basic principle that these officers have done a good job for this nation and they deserve to be given these benefits, they should so deserve to be given these types of benefits. It would be wrong for a whole President of this nation who has been elected for the period that he has served; by Kenyans putting their trust in him and being able to give his fullest for our comfort, not to be accorded this benefit. I, therefore, totally disagree with my colleagues that the President should not be given these benefits. If anything else, this is one person a nation should hold in high esteem and regard and be able to look after him like other countries have done. A retired president of the United States of America (USA) has all the facilities including Air force One. Right down here in South Africa, retired President Mandela has all the statehood that belongs to him and the same applies in Britain. I do not know why we should be wasting so much time here debating an obvious matter. I think everyone of us agrees that President Kibaki has done a wonderful job. He has given this nation his service at a very critical moment in the history of this nation. Therefore, I think we should moderate our views and I want to persuade my colleagues that whereas they may have taken a tangent away from this that it will also affect them and, therefore, I fully accept this Bill and support it. With those remarks, I accept and support this Bill."
}