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{
    "id": 529581,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/529581/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 270,
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    "content": "chambers and as the defense argue their case, particularly in Kenya I, I hear different scripts of writers or coaches. However, those who have politicized this matter still have the audacity to go to political platforms and make allegations so that they can escalate partisan and ethnic anger. This is similar even in the Kenya II case. There have been so many preliminary applications before the trial chambers. If people had evidence to that effect, that would have been the theatre to test that evidence and not the theatre of politics and platforms. That is why some of us have been very studious and remained silent on these matters. We know that whatever allegations that are being made against anybody, those are unfounded allegations. This is a critical turning point for the country. Therefore, you cannot keep on treating this country to theatrics, hostility to your political opponents and even drive your political masses to believe that it was so and so who plunged our political leaders into this plight they are in now and expect us to fumble our feet when you come to address us. There should be some decorum in life. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as long as they respect the judicial process, we shall respect the decisions that they take. I find it strange that it is only in this country that we celebrate somebody for obeying the rule of law whereas the rule of law is the rule of law. Whether it is the President, Deputy President, Sen. Hassan, Sen. Wako or any other ordinary citizen of the Republic of Kenya, the rule of law is the rule of law. Metaphorically speaking, we have gotten used to Messi playing so well, that we get anxious when he does not play well. When you see somebody playing well and yet you are not used to seeing him playing well, you celebrate him. It is true that most of us did not expect to see that respect to the rule of law. As we laud the President for respecting the summons of the ICC and then talk passionately about the sovereignty of our country, I would also like to encourage the President to respect orders made by local courts of law. I would like to give an example of the ship that was destroyed on sea with a haul of drugs. The High Court, the magistrate’s court asserted that the ship should not be destroyed and went further to state that its destruction would tamper with critical evidence, even the Law Society of Kenya said the same, but we went ahead and destroyed it. So, even as we laud the President for respecting the rule of law simply because he responded to a process that would have been extremely adverse for him in the alternative, let us also encourage him to respect the domestic jurisdiction. When you bring yourself to Caesar, you must come with purity so that we can laud you as a law obeying President in all circles. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we, as the Senate, went to court because we felt that the law had been breached. So, let us respect the courts when they assert themselves. If it is about respecting courts, let it be in totality. This Senate has a diminished mandate and capacity to deliver. This is because on one side the court is stopping us and, on the other side, there are court orders which have been made in favour of this Senate in terms of judicial opinions not being respected. When was the last time the Speaker of the Senate 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"
}