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{
    "id": 493083,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/493083/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 80,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "My reading of that is that Kenyans decided to vote for them knowing that the two had personal cases, but which would not stop them from carrying out their mandate as President and Deputy President of this country. It is that decision of the people of Kenya that must be respected. That is the way I look at it. That vote was a sort of a referendum that, never mind the personal issues. So, if the President then comes around and says; “My personal challenge then is a national challenge today”, it is because of the statement Kenyans made by voting him in. You take over the assets and liabilities of that individual when you vote him in. That is it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to conclude by saying that the decision of the President to hand over power temporarily to the Deputy President was also a remarkable thing. It set a precedent because literally, the Deputy President was the acting president for those 48 hours. The Deputy President, in those 48 hours actually acted with dignity and with a lot of respect. He did not misuse power. I know what some people would have done if they were given 48 hours. A lot of people have been pushing to be given even one hour. I remember in 1992 when the former presidential candidate, Oginga Odinga, came to Mandera during a presidential campaign, he said; “If you can just get me into State House even if it is just for one day, I would really appreciate.” The Deputy President acted with dignity for those 48 hours; he did not display lust for power: he did not even try to maximize it and there was absolutely no vacuum. When the 48 hours elapsed, he went to the airport to receive the President, handed power back to him quietly and came back with him. Those are the kind of leaders who deserve respect. I must say that the Speech had a lot of guidance with regard to the anxiety that existed at the time. Many of us who still think The Hague is not the best place for African leaders to go can now understand our President’s earnest desire to clear his name. I therefore second the Motion. Thank you."
}