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{
    "id": 589958,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/589958/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(a) We are dealing with constitutional amendments which will restore the Constitution today to what it ought to have been after some years of experience on how it is going out. (b) The Committee has done a commendable job under the Chairmanship of Sen. Murkomen, ably supported by Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and other Members like Sen. Orengo. This afternoon, I am the only one outside that Committee speaking about the Report. I should be put on record in support of what has been moved. If you recollect when this matter came before the House, I rose under a point of order which was well received if you revisit the HANSARD. Before we discuss this matter in the House, the Senators should meet so that the Committee goes through the Report and we are better informed. When we come to the House, hopefully, arrangements will be made, that the debate will be live and that the each Member will be given an opportunity to speak. Even if we will take one, two days or a week, it is worth because we are talking about the Constitution. This may be the last legislation we will ever do before the General Elections in 2017. My plea is that we take into account what the Members have said that a proper notice be given and we spare a day or two to debate this report exclusively. Thirdly, maybe the leadership of the House can guide us. Whereas the mood of the House at that time was quite clear that we should have a retreat before it comes to this House and the Speaker said that he would look into it, you can apply your minds and think it through. If you feel that because of constraints of time we should go ahead with the debate, we can have a retreat afterwards which will be focused more now on strategy and how we can get the issue through the referendum and so on. However, clearly it is not good for us to start debate this afternoon when we are only about ten Members. It will give a very wrong signal to the public that even the Senate itself is not taking this matter with the seriousness that it deserves. I support what the Members of the Select Committee have stated and appeal that the leadership of the House thinks through whether we should have the debate before or after the retreat, taking into account the time factor and other programmes of the House. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}