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{
    "id": 580005,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/580005/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 136,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kisang",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2263,
        "legal_name": "William Kipkemoi Kisang",
        "slug": "william-kipkemoi-kisang"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Bill by Hon. Keynan. This Bill is due or overdue because, as an independent arm of Government, Members who represent constituencies and people of Kenya, we need to be independent and insulated from any prosecution because of discharging our duties. It is very sad that one of us who was in this House for 10 years has gone through some tribulations because of what he said as a Chairperson of a Select Committee to discuss one of our departed Members. It is very important that this Bill is supported by all of us. In the history of Kenya or anywhere else in the world in the Judiciary, we have never seen a judicial officer taken to court because of discharging his or her duties in terms of judgement. So, I also want to propose that we ask the Parliamentary Service Commission to assist this colleague, Hon. Gor Sungu, to pay the fine of Kshs10 million. If the PSC does not do this, maybe as sitting Members of Parliament, we might have to do some fundraising to ensure our colleague does not die because of sickness from this. As Members of Parliament, it will be good for us to speak in this House with confidence and freedom without looking behind or worrying that, maybe, after we leave this House, as Hon. Gumbo has said all of us are potential former Members of Parliament because in one way or the other, after some few years, all of us will be voted out or we will retire from politics. We need to be free and lead good lives outside without thinking that I will be taken to court because of what we said in this Chamber. I also believe that this Bill will assist us especially in terms of discipline. What we saw on 18th December, 2014 was bad. It portrayed Parliament as a place of indisciplined people. I believe this Bill will set rules and procedures to ensure we are disciplined. Finally, I want to talk about what Hon. Millie Odhiambo discussed about the welfare of our staff. For the last three, four, five or six months, some of our employees have gone without pay. I was thinking that we need to amend the Bill at the Committee Stage so that we ensure our employees get their salaries like the rest of us. I do not see the reason why we should not pay our employees every month like PSC staff so that they get their dues to be able to get mortgage and loans. 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."
}