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"id": 512148,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
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"legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
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"content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. First, let me start by telling my honourable colleagues that this is one of those fundamental and historic Motions, where it is important to completely put aside our political party affiliations, and for once look at this matter and prosecute it on its merit. Therefore, the contribution I make to this Motion has absolutely nothing to do with whatever political affiliation you may associate me with. This is a House of honour and that is why we are called honourable Members. This is a distinguished House and that is why we call it the august House. This is a House of rules, customs and traditions. We are just the latest in a very long line of distinguished Kenyans who have sat and served in this hallowed Chambers. The late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Masinde Muliro, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Bonaya Godana, Raila Odinga, Daniel arap Moi, the current serving President and his Deputy are part of that long list of distinguished Kenyans who have graced this House. I want to thank hon. Musimba, a good friend and a distinguished Member of this House, for bringing this Motion. However, for me, rather than view this Motion as a censure of the hon. Speaker, I want to look at it as an opportunity for introspection for all of us on where we are today as a House. I say this with clarity of mind and conscience that, indeed, as has already been said by prior speakers, this House is at crossroads. It is at crossroads in terms of fidelity, as honourable Members in this House, our own rules. When you look at Standing Order No.98, for instance - I will read it for the avoidance of doubt - it is about maintenance of order. It says that:- “Order shall be maintained in the House by the Speaker and in a committee of the whole House by the Chairperson of such committee, but disorder in the committee may be censured only by the House on receiving a report thereof”. Order is the essence of the conduct of the business in this House. If, as hon. Members of this House, concerned about the image of this House and the orderly manner of conducting business in the House, do not pay attention to that Standing Order, and do not respect the right of every Member in this House to make their contribution, while enjoying the respect of colleagues in this House, there will be no order. For example, the 18th day of December, 2014 will always go down in history as a day of ignominy in the history of this House. I have always told myself that on that day, in this Chamber, as we debated the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, it was like an evil spirit took control of this House. We have to agree that we completely violated the Standing Order No.98. We made it impossible for the business of this House to be conducted. All of us. I would be the first one to acknowledge that in terms of contributing to that mess, I was guilty as charged. Until we reach a point - I say this is an opportunity for introspection - where we can acknowledge that, indeed, there is a crisis in this House, and that as hon. Members, we bear the responsibility to look at these issues The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}