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{
    "id": 493946,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/493946/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 33,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mwakulegwa",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 101,
        "legal_name": "Danson Mwazo Mwakulegwa",
        "slug": "danson-mwazo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to support. I am one of the few from the CORD Coalition who attended the session. I am proud because it was something that I was expecting the President to make a decision. The decision that he took was good and courageous. There are four things that he did. One, he separated personal and official responsibilities. That is why he told Kenyans that he will leave the presidency and go to The Hague as a private citizen called Uhuru Kenyatta. To me, that was a bold and courageous decision which I admired. He also set a good example for the rest of Africa. The other heads of states had requested him not to go, but looking at the fact that he might put this country in cross-roads and blame, he decided to do something not only for himself, but for the good of this country. He decided to go. There were so many opinions on that matter. That is why I had to come and hear what he had to say. First and foremost, there was a gazette notice from the Speaker recalling the House. Therefore, I came knowing that I represent the people of Taita Taveta County. Even on my own personal capacity, I wanted to hear from the horse’s mouth his decision. If he would have made a contrary decision, I would have given my views otherwise. However, he did what I expected him to do. It was a good decision. As we discuss, we also hope and wish that the victims also get a fair hearing so that justice is seen to be done to both sides. We, as Kenyans, must be careful. We have been celebrating that the cases are going to be terminated. You cannot celebrate unless and until the judgement is delivered. We need to be conscious about premature celebrations. They are still at The Hague. We do not know if the proceedings will go on, but our wish is that both get a fair hearing. The other example that the President set was to come and talk to the nation when it was facing impulse in terms of thought and where to go. Had he gone without addressing the nation, there would have been mixed feelings. I encourage other leaders to take the courage and learn a lot from good example given by the President. This is because when we, as politicians, are faced with difficult situations, we normally go back to our communities and say that we are being finished. However, he came forward and said:- “This is a personal matter. Let me go there personally and clear it.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, we should also take that example. When we are faced with difficult situations, let us separate official and personal responsibility. Therefore, we should be seeing more people do the same when charged in a court of law in this country. For example, when people are charged with embezzlement of funds, they should respect courts and go there to clear their names. 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."
}