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{
    "id": 423086,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/423086/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 242,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kipyegon",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1453,
        "legal_name": "Johana Ngeno Kipyegon",
        "slug": "johana-ngeno-kipyegon"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this particular amendment. I can see my friend hon. Ng’ongo is shocked. One thing I must appreciate is the fact that this is not a creation of law. It is an amendment of the already existing law; Cap.99. Therefore, when we try to bring in issues of whether it is constitutional or not, I think we are actually contradicting what is already in existence. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Chapter Two of the Constitution states clearly the national symbols and national days. I think there was a reason why the drafters of this Constitution created this particular chapter. It is in Article 9 where we have specific days, names and items that are called “national symbols”. We have the national flag, national anthem, the coat of arms and the public seal. The reason why we have these particular items in the Constitution is to separate and differentiate those factors that are of national importance from those which can bring us together and give the country unity. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, why do we have specific days called “national days”? We cannot wake up one day and just determine that it will be a holiday; it has to be a holiday which is actually in the Constitution, or which is designated by Parliament. Why do we have one national flag? I think the major reason why we have one national flag is because it is a symbol of unity. We cannot just allow it to be misused, just as any other country cannot allow its national flag to be misused. The intention of this particular amendment is to create a situation where the dignity of the flag and the unity of the country can be symbolized. It cannot be symbolized by anybody flying it. I cannot wake up today and hoist a flag in my private compound. It cannot happen. We know the cultures, traditions and the norms of this country are different those of any other country. We cannot just wake up today and allow anybody to enter this House, unless we seek leave. Those are rules which govern our conduct. We need to have serious rules and serious constitutional norms that we follow. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}