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{
    "id": 512403,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/512403/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 16,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The late hon. Grace Ogot demonstrated service to her country through her talent as a writer and is well known for her first book, the Promised Land, which was published in 1966. In 1968, her collection of short stories titled Land Without Thunder was published. Mrs. Ogot was recognized for her blossoming literary career and was named as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 1975. In 1976, she was named as a member of the Kenyan Delegation to United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She was also the founder of the Writer’s Association of Kenya, and served as its Chairperson from 1975 to 1980. She was an extraordinary woman who pioneered women liberation in Kenya, as matters of the girl-child were close to her heart. In 1983, she became one of the only handful women to serve as Members of Parliament (MPs) and the only female Assistant Minister in the then Cabinet. She was elected MP for Gem in 1985, after a two-year stint as a nominated Kenya African National Union (KANU) MP to become the second elected woman MP in Kenya, after Mrs. Grace Onyango. The then President, His Excellency Daniel Arap Moi, later appointed her an assistant Minister for Culture. In 1988, she was reappointed to her ministerial position and elected as the Member of Parliament for Gem Constituency, a position she held until 1992. The late MP was the wife of renowned academician, Prof. Bethwel Ogot, and the couple had four children. Hon. Members, on behalf of Members of the National Assembly and, indeed, on my own behalf, I wish to take this opportunity to condole with the family of Prof. Bethwel Ogot, the people of Gem Constituency, and all our friends for the loss of that champion of women rights and a prolific writer. May the Almighty God grant comfort to the bereaved family and give them strength to bear the profound loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace. In tribute to our departed former Member, I request that we all stand to observe a moment of silence."
}