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{
"id": 494657,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/494657/?format=api",
"text_counter": 105,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "October 23, 2014 SENATE DEBATES 13 The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to thank the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Wetangula, for bringing this very important Motion. I know that 15 minutes was not enough for him to talk about Mazrui. I doubt if 10 minutes can be enough. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I met Ali Mazrui twice in my life. Those two meetings took 14 years in between. The first time I met him, I was a doctorate student at the University of Pretoria, finalizing my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). That was the time when the world was finalizing discussions around the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Two panelists were called to talk to us about their perspectives on the ICC. One of them was Prof. David Shafer, professor of International Law and former Ambassador- at-Large on war crimes and crimes against humanity. The second panelist was Prof. Ali Mazrui. That was my first encounter with an intelligent, proud African, a very sober and balanced intellectual. I must admit that at that time, I was an ardent supporter of the formation of the ICC. I had even started doing a bit of academic writing because I believed and I still believe that there is need for an international judicial system. During that time, Prof. Mazrui did not agree with my world view. At that time, I belonged to a school of thought of the likes of Prof. David Schafer, the American Ambassador-at-Large for war crimes and crimes against humanity. At that time, I believed that the ICC was necessary to tame small countries like Kenya and others from the brutality that leaders mete on their citizens. I still believe that the ICC has a role to play in Africa. That time, Mazrui still believed that there was need for that kind of system but it must be tamed so that it does not become rogue and oppress poor countries including African countries. It is now 15 years down the line, Mazrui has been proven right and I have been proven wrong. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the second meeting was just a year ago at Moi International Airport Mombasa. Mazrui was leaving Mombasa going back to the United States (US). I had a chit-chat with him at the VIP lounge. I could see a man who has run a full course; a proud Kenyan, proud African and unapologetic, in charge of his destiny, an intellectual, who had accomplished and does not need to shout about it. We had a chit-chat and I promised that if I got time I would visit the USA and maybe have a moment to imbibe part of his vast intellectual resources. It is sad that he never lived to see that third meeting but I am here today to say that what Mazrui has done is to make the dignity of the African man entrenched in posterity. He has shown that an African can rise to the highest level of intellectual success. He has shown that an African scholar can succeed anywhere in the world. That is something that our children and grandchildren should be able to live with and build on. Mr. Speaker, Sir, today, I feel so sad but at the same time I feel so proud that Mazrui has given us the kind of dignity that he has left behind especially for those of us who are in academia. Words will fail me to eulogize him enough. May I take this opportunity to say on my behalf, on behalf of my family, the people of Tharaka-Nithi County and on behalf of the Jubilee Coalition, for whom I speak in this House, to send my condolences to the family of Mazrui, his uncles, nephews, his teachers, neighbours 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."
}