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{
    "id": 596417,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/596417/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
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    "content": "that politics is a double edged sword. One time you are sitting on the Opposition side and in the next Legislature, you sit on the Government side. I would like us to consider this matter with a sober and clear mind. Would we speak in the same way if Hon. Raila Odinga was the President and brought such a Bill to Parliament? I would like us to consider this matter very soberly, devoid of the consideration of who is occupying the Presidency. I agree with a few Senators who have spoken. One, I do not think that the Speaker made a mistake in his ruling yesterday. I also do not believe that from where you seat, as you had stated before, that you find yourself between a rock and a hard place. However, having listened to some weighty matters that have been brought forward, if it is true that our mandate as a Legislature is in question here, if we proceed, and that we are required in this senior Chamber to consider a completely new clause, and if it is true that the powers of the Legislature, if we proceed this way, are at a threat of being reduced, then I plead with all hon. Senators to soberly consider this issue devoid of political affiliation. When the powers of the Legislature are reduced, it will not be the Opposition’s powers that are reduced, but your own powers will also be reduced as well as powers of future Legislatures. Mr. Chairman, Sir, we do not want to kill this Bill or do anything extreme. All I am asking for is that we give ourselves more time in view of the weighty matters that have been brought forward, so that each one of us individually and collectively can have more time to interrogate this matter and come to a conclusion. Thereafter, we can come to a collective conclusion as the Senate. We can come back to debate on this issue in this Chamber with a lot of clarity of mind on which way to go, having considered a lot of legal opinions and after having an ample time to review the former and current Constitutions as we proceed. That is the best way to proceed. I conclude by stating that I think almost everybody who has spoken from both sides of the House has a valid point. However, in view of these weighty matters, would it be proper for us to stay this matter and consider it at a later date when have a bigger picture of what we are dealing with?"
}