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{
    "id": 50318,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/50318/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 22,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "However, the issues canvassed by the Member for Mutito are important and pertinent. If anything, they do not seek to debate the Communication, which I have made. But they express a concern, which is obviously legitimate that the media cannot run this House, or even Committees of the House outside the House. As we know, for all practical purposes, and as a matter of fact, the media is a stranger to the conduct of business in this House. The media must respect that position. What the media is enjoined to do is to report the proceedings, as they take place in this House and its Committees, accurately and factually. I urge the media to endeavour to do so. Stay within the parameters of what is in the public interest and what is constitutionally provided for, as the right for the public to access information. It is not for the media – and they must refrain from this – to speculate and read implications into things where they do not exist. On that basis, I want to urge media houses to restrain themselves because, as a matter of fact, the media has said many times that it has organs and instruments in place to internally control itself. I want this to be demonstrated in actual practice, and not just in rhetoric or writing. So, the media is accordingly guided. If we have instances where the media will stray from this rule of thumb, then, I am afraid, we will have to deal with each one of them singly, case by case. All hon. Members, including the Member for Mutito, are allowed to raise those concerns, as and when they arise. In so far as the Office of the Speaker is concerned, it is a matter that is of public knowledge that the Speaker is the Speaker of the National Assembly. It is for this reason that the Constitution of Kenya expressly provides that the Speaker shall not represent any constituency. So, my constituency, as a matter of fact, is the Republic of Kenya. I have no partisan interests. I do not belong to any particular political party, notwithstanding the fact that at the time I was elected, I came from a party, but I immediately ceased, as I assumed office, to be a member of any particular party. I apply myself as best as I can, in accordance with the Constitution, in accordance with the rules, in accordance with the Standing Orders. I have no interest in a particular hon. Member of this House other than that that Member is my colleague, because I am an ex-officio Member of this House. So, that is how I relate to hon. Members of this House. In so far as the conduct of business is concerned, the business of this House will be conducted in accordance with the Constitution, in accordance with all relevant law, in accordance with the Standing Orders, in accordance with usages, forms, precedent, customs, procedures and traditions of the National Assembly. We will play by the rules, and I urge the media to do so as well. It should reciprocate kindness to the National Assembly and to this nation. I will expect that from today onwards, the media will be progressive in each report. It may be coincidental that hon. Ababu Namwamba does not come very far from the home where my parents gave birth to me, but that does not mean that I, therefore, favour him. I have no such interest. Hon. Members, I urge you to, please, note this."
}