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{
    "id": 411515,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/411515/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Midiwo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 184,
        "legal_name": "Washington Jakoyo Midiwo",
        "slug": "jakoyo-midiwo"
    },
    "content": "states that legislation is vested in Parliament. What we are dealing with, under the old Constitution, the President could make suggestions, but under this new Constitution my reading – I am not a lawyer – tells me that reservations cannot be suggestions. However, the point I want to put on record is that if we go through what we are about--- I know my colleagues on the other side are thrilled and they want to go through this. The President comes from their side of the House, but he is our President. If in future, after President Kenyatta, we get a rogue President--- That is the point I want to express. I think this speaks to the intention of the Constitution of separation of powers. If in future this country gets a rogue President, he will bring a simple legislation here. He will bring one- line legislation here. He goes and rejects it and brings it back here with bad intention knowing that Parliament cannot raise the two-thirds majority. Hon. Speaker, I want to beg you because I know you have brains. Imagine what would happen to this country for posterity after we die and go. If we do what we are about to do today, some rogue President will be advised by selfish motive to bring a simple legislation which will pass following our rules, then it will be brought back saying what he wants. He will pass detention without trial and those other draconian things which we have lived through and we are thankful to God that they are behind us. If we do this, that window shall have been opened. Hon. Speaker, before I end, what is before us, the President is doing legislation. That is what he is doing. The intention of the Constitution was to separate power. What the Memorandum should have said is, “I have reservations on this (a), (b), (c), (d) and so you as Parliament deal with it.” Then what you are saying suffices. If we do not do this, I honestly believe we will be setting the most dangerous precedent and something that is not intended by this Constitution. The controversy here is just the constitutionality. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee said that his Committee agreed with the media. The media accepts that what they have contention on, the President did not address. The President did not address what the media had problems with. The President came up with a new thing. The media still have an issue – they will sort it out there or it will find its way here. My issue is this window we are opening for a future President. Could this be one of those moments that we could rise to the occasion and discuss this matter even away from cameras so that we can guide this country properly for the sake of posterity? We can do that. We can do that and come back in the afternoon---"
}