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{
    "id": 441987,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/441987/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Rotino",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2774,
        "legal_name": "Philip Lotiolo Ruto Rotino",
        "slug": "philip-lotiolo-ruto-rotino"
    },
    "content": "I have seen Members of Parliament who have been elected to this House. They come here, maybe, with certain properties, but end up being poorer than they started. They end up leading very poor lives. They are so miserable. When you see some of the former Members of Parliament, you will sympathize with their situation. We need to include them in the package. When you are a Member of Parliament, there is a certain level of dignity that you are supposed to carry. There is certain respect that members of the society put on you. They put a certain tag on you and when you fall short of it, they get disappointed. They expect you to assume a certain standard, whether you are in Parliament or not. You must maintain that standard. They are a reflection of Parliament and they represent it out there. To maintain that standard, a former Member of Parliament requires money. Even USD 1000 per month can keep them going. I support this, especially now that we have had a Vice President and Prime Minister. They are not expected to drive a car with a capacity of 2000cc. It is upon us to give them that recognition. Let us not lower this House. We are Members of Parliament and one day we will retire. We should keep that mark. This Bill will go a long way in maintaining the status of this House, so that we are respected. Even when you are out of Parliament, you should keep that respect. You should not walk to functions. You also need to live in a decent house. You should afford to take your children to nice schools. I want to echo what my colleagues have said, that this Bill will go a long way--- At one point, all of us are going to retire. We do not want you to live a miserable life, the way former Members of Parliament have. We shall bring some amendments on the benefits, because some of them are actually a luxury. We have to do what is modest, not living as though you are still employed. With those few remarks, I want to support this Bill."
}