HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 40401,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/40401/?format=api",
"text_counter": 603,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Prof. Anyang-Nyongo",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Medical Services",
"speaker": {
"id": 193,
"legal_name": "Peter Anyang' Nyong'o",
"slug": "peter-nyongo"
},
"content": "If you look at the practice in the USA Congress, you will appreciate that when it comes to confirmation, the Congress is given the opportunity to examine the individuals and satisfy itself that, indeed, the process has been followed, and applicants are qualified to hold those offices. It is something which is done with sobriety, without appeal to political party affiliation, or affiliation to any interest group. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, what we have done in this House, which is very unfortunate, is to begin segmenting hon. Members into compartments either in terms of social origin or in terms of political party affiliation. That is a false start, as an hon. Member said. This House must understand that this process must be handled very carefully, and in the manner stipulated in the Constitution. First of all, I hold it as self- evident that, under this Constitution, individuals being vetted to work for the State should not be asked about their religious convictions, their race, their ethnic identities or sexual orientation. Under the Bill of Rights, all Kenyans are recognised as citizens, and without any qualification whatsoever. Therefore, when the vetting Committees do their jobs, first and foremost, they must be conversant with the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, and not subject any individual to any act of discrimination whatsoever. So, I would like to appeal to the House that once we approve the nominations of these individuals to serve the Republic of Kenya, we should sit back and examine the process of vetting that we are employing to see if it is, indeed, constitutional, and whether the Committees doing the vetting should, prior to bringing individuals before them, know exactly what kind of questions they are going to pose. Thirdly, we, ourselves, should confine our discourse within the House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Standing Orders of this House say very clear that debates in this House should not be taken to the public when there is an issue on the Floor of the House. We have erred before the Constitution, God and the Republic of Kenya, and we must ask for forgiveness and be repentant. If, indeed, we are going to maintain the dignity of this House, please, I appeal to the House, let us respect and observe the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya; let us serve this Republic with honesty, dignity and sincerity. Let us not, in any way, politicise the process to the extent that it becomes a mockery. I was listening to my friend, David Ethuro very carefully, and I respect him. I listened to my friend, Dr. Boniface Khalwale, and I respect him. I highly appreciated Bonifaceâs contribution. I would inform my friend, hon. Ethuro â I am the Secretary-"
}