Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 447118,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/447118/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 123,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chepkong’a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1154,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga",
        "slug": "samuel-kiprono-chepkonga"
    },
    "content": "As you know, the Committees of Parliament have the equivalent power to that of the High Court. Any Member who purports to discuss issues that have been submitted to a particular committee is in contempt of this House. We do not refer to matters that are before Parliament. Any matter that is pending in Parliament and hon. Members refer to it, they are in contempt of Parliament. I am asking you to give direction on this important matter; in my view, there is a breach of Standing Order No. 107 by some hon. Members of this House, and they should be named and thrown out of this House for being grossly disorderly and acting unconstitutionally. You do not need to be a lawyer to know the law. There is the Latin maxim which is very clear that ignorance of the law is no defence. There is nobody who can plead ignorance here no matter how much pressure they are under from forces outside this House. This law must be complied with and there is no person who can put you under a lot of pressure because the Constitution is very clear; it does not allow you to be unconstitutional in your actions. I am asking for direction in matters that have been referred to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, in particular this Petition by one important Kenyan, Mr. Wafula Buke, who appeared before this Committee today. He was not wasting his time because he is a very serious man; we are dealing with this matter with all the seriousness. I do not understand why people are taking this thing in a very casual manner. We are in a serious House. We are meeting the IEBC on 9th; any hon. Member who wishes to interrogate or investigate this matter is free to attend the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee meetings. If you are too many, we will hold that meeting here, because we will be on recess. We are seeking your direction and intervention; this matter must not be discussed outside the rules that we have set. Thank you."
}