Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 476210,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/476210/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 270,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme is an initiative that is very important. However, since it is heavily donor funded, it is treated as an NGO issue whereas it should be an issue very much at the centre of the concerns of these three countries. Conflicts on islands like Migingo have not really helped us because they have heightened and focused more on our attention and differences rather than what we should be doing together as three countries; Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda who were given by God a very important resource. Rather than use it to take integration to a higher level, it is being used as a battle field for no obvious reasons, except the egocentric attitudes of certain leaders in the region. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think the fact that Rwanda went through a very traumatic experience in 1994, and the fact that the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) took over State power knowing that one of the things that Rwanda had to do was to sort out the problem of the national question in Rwanda---. The initiative so far taken has been good in terms of national security and integration. However, to sort out the national question in Rwanda is still itself an unfinished agenda as it is in many cities in many EAC countries. We are all challenged by the fact that we have counties with ethnic diversities. We should have systems of Government that are very conscious of the diversities and which make sure that the face of Government in every country reflects the national diversity. I would like to read from our Constitution because I think the Senate Majority Leader has missed a step somewhere, especially in his representation. This is important, especially when we are discussing politics, not only of regional integration, but of each country in the EAC. Our Constitution is very progressive and this is something that our partner States can learn from. It starts right from the beginning on the right principle. The Senate Majority Leader emphasized the importance of institutions. However, I would like to say that prior to institutions coming into being; there have to be reasons institutions are established. There must be certain values and principles that make institutions come into being. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, our Constitution begins with a very important reason certain institutions are created. It says that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution. Two, the people may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives. You will realise that the issue of institutions comes subsequent to a very important principle; the principle of sovereign power which is about State power where sovereign power lies. Sovereign power is very important. It says that sovereign power lies with the people. Institutions created thereafter to exercise this sovereign power cannot betray that principle. This is the issue of sorting out the national question in our various countries; Rwanda, Tanzania and in Uganda. The national state cannot exist legitimately without first of all establishing this principle. I hope that this can be a common principle in the Constitution of all the EAC countries and in the establishment of the community. 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."
}