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{
    "id": 385012,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/385012/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 25,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, first, the remarks that came from the Lower House yesterday were extremely unfortunate, uncalled for and which can put this country on a wrong direction at a time when Kenyans were beginning to feel that we have replenished our country. The issue of the Bill before this House has been done in accordance with the laws of our country and in particular the Constitution. I do not think this House is interested in exercising powers it does not have. We are a House that believes in the rule of law, which is humble enough to appreciate that we want to do what the law allows us to do. We are also humble enough to also realize that there are other players who have equally important roles to play in our country. The Lower House misses the point. I am afraid this only aggravates the already worsening public image of the National Assembly. Just the other day they were grappling with livestock in their precincts. While the issue they were raising was constitutional, the method they used was wrong. I am afraid that even on this issue, they are wrong because we, as hon. Senators, may also have issues of salaries, but we have chosen to follow the law and use the constitutional pathway of agitating for this. That is why we have the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill is properly before the House. On our part, from the Majority side and I hope and believe I have the support of the Minority side, the Senate of the Republic of Kenya will not accept to be intimidated by the National Assembly. We will also not accept to be belittled by the National Assembly or any other person. Secondly and my last point, because I want to allow other hon. Senators to contribute, is that we respect the National Assembly because they are an important part of our constitutional dispensation and architecture. This is the same way we respect the county assemblies. This debate on seniority is uncalled for; it is not what Kenyans are expecting from us. It is childish and should be stopped. Let us start building our country. I do not think the Senate is interested in perpetuating this debate. But we want to make it loud and clear that we will not entertain childish remarks from the rest of the leadership of this country. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}