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{
    "id": 460533,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/460533/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 353,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kabando wa Kabando",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 31,
        "legal_name": "Kabando wa Kabando",
        "slug": "kabando-kabando"
    },
    "content": "This Committee has spoken. It is actually a shame and serious embarrassment if this is the supreme legislative body in this Republic and a Member would say that the Constitution was not breached. Let us have other ways of persuasion and other means of cultivating attention. It will be the height of impunity on our side and inside our conscience. I saw a certain body elsewhere seeking to address this matter when the National Assembly was already seized of this matter. The same body is saying: “This matter, if rejected, it should be brought to us”. These are things that are clearly stipulated in the Constitution and yet, we want to abrogate them. We want to violate them. One thing we should ask is this: When a thing is repeated, is that not a composition of a litany of impunity? Indeed, it is. Article 234 is very clear and hon. Alex Mwiru and hon. Cheptumo, the two respectable Chairpersons of Lands and Delegated Legislation committees respectively have articulated this matter for and on behalf of our joint committee. That is because it necessitates that articulation. I remember that in the Tenth Parliament, when I was an Assistant Minister, I could be “whipped,” It does not follow that because somebody comes from Mount Kenya area, then I should follow the narrow and crooked path. I remember I was with hon. Nderitu Mureithi and hon. Dr. Kilemi Mwiria and a few other Members. We formed a caucus. We were all Assistant Ministers. By then, hon. Dr. Otuoma was my boss. He sought to dismantle that effort despite our relationship and proximity to the supreme centre of power. We also had names for the position of Chief Justice and others. We spoke loudly in Press conferences and paid for articles in newspapers which can be found in archives even now. This was because we wanted to support the former President, Kibaki. I am a strong defender of hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of this Republic and the leader of Jubilee, but I will be the first one to tell him that it is wrong and it is a mistake. Either way, whether nay or aye, the House has spoken. Article 234 states that the Public Service Commission, subject to this Constitution, is the only one endowed with the responsibility of establishing and abolishing offices in the Public Service. Secondly, it is supposed to appoint persons to hold or act in offices and confirm appointments. Prof. Ms. Kobia, the first director of the School of Government and now the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission answered my question within the hearing. Nikamuuliza : Do you, in your opinion, think that the Cabinet Secretary violated the Constitution? I was supported by hon. Mwadegu. She answered very strongly: “The Cabinet Secretary breached the Constitution.” The late J.F. Kennedy said: “We want to go to the moon not because it is an easy task, but because it is a difficult and very tough task. It is a challenge that Americans want to face. It is not a challenge that Americans want to postpone.” For those of us, like hon. Munuve said, who have gone to the trenches for pride and honour; for those Members of this 11th Parliament who are now implementing the Constitution that was unveiled in the Tenth Parliament, our responsibility is collective. Let us not live in denial. When you speak loudly and say: “We are being finished because we are Kikuyus or women---” We have them in the House. They are our mothers. When you say: “We are 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."
}