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"content": "every other functiononary of the State will take the cue from the Head of State and recognize the Senate, not as a token or benevolence, but as an act of fidelity to the constitutional order which we crafted and which we must implement. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Address by His Excellency the President is extremely critical as it sets out the broad overview and agenda for the Jubilee Government for this country for the next five years. The Jubilee Government is aware that the outcome of the last General Election brought us a record number of women parliamentarians in both houses of Parliament. This is something that is in consonance with the Jubilee Manifesto. We recognize the critical role that women play in the leadership of this country and also in decision-making processes and structures of our land. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the electioneering period is over. His Excellency the President reminded us that it is now time for all political parties to work together for the common good of this nation. Nothing could be so critical to this country than that kind of reminder. At this juncture, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the CORD Coalition and its entire leadership, both outside and inside this House. They have demonstrated unparalleled patriotism for this country. So far, they have conducted themselves with decorum and a lot of dignity, without necessarily compromising their legitimate constitutional position as the legitimate alternative voice in this country as provided by law. We want to appreciate our colleagues. His Excellency the President said he believes, and we, as the Jubilee Coalition also believe, that a vibrant opposition is essential for our democracy. Therefore, we are not here to intimidate the minority or try to assert ourselves simply because we are in the majority. As the majority, we will provide responsible leadership in this House. We expect the minority in this House to support important legislation and other decisions of this House that are relevant to the creation of a better Kenya. We do not expect them to agree with us all the time. It is wrong to expect so. It even nullifies the constitutional order under which we are operating. Mr. Speaker, Sir, His Excellency the President, in his Address, called on legislators to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution of our country in line with our oath of office. I stand here, on behalf of the Jubilee Government, His Excellency the President and his Deputy, and the entire Cabinet, when it is formed, to restate that we shall, as is expected of us, do whatever is possible and required, inside and outside of this House, to ensure that the Constitution of our country is honoured, protected and upheld in all its respects. I want to hasten that the problems that we have had in this country are because a few of our fellow countrymen assigned themselves the roles of being the only people who can defend our Constitution. The issue of upholding the rule of law and building a democratic society is not a one man’s project. It is a collective project that calls on each one of us, from the President to the lowest and the youngest; from the richest to the poorest, to believe in our country, our Constitution and our democracy. Nobody has a copyright of being a reformist or being the only person who can implement the Constitution. It is a collective responsibility. We, as the Jubilee Government, do not have the illusion that we are the only ones who can do it. We expect every Kenyan to play their role in this regard. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}