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{
    "id": 601087,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/601087/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 362,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 129,
        "legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
        "slug": "james-orengo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the reason I am saying this is because I have been having a discussion with the Senate Majority Leader, one point that I emphasise is that the authority of the President to give presidential assent or deny, otherwise a veto, is an important constitutional contravention which we cannot do away with in our modern Constitution. I emphasise that this is an authority that the President has in every democracy. That is why partly we are a Republic. If you want to know what a republic is, go back to the days of Julius Caesar. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, looking at the powers and the functions of Parliament, it requires the Members of Parliament to protect the Constitution. However, among the powers of the President, there are two important things that we must think about. The President is not only the head of Government, but also the Head of State. When we are dealing with a Presidential veto in the House, let us have decorum. When there is Presidential reservation or recommendation on the Floor, we are dealing with the President as the Head of State and not Head of Government. I want to hear the Senate Majority Leader when we are considering this matter to give the President that important constitutional function as Head of State and not Head of Government. That is why when these reservations are before the Senate, we must have a bipartisan way of approach. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are required to protect the Constitution. Equally, the President is expected to respect, uphold and safeguard the Constitution. They are three important words. In our functioning, if the President finds that Parliament erred through the exercise of Presidential Assent, he can express those reservations. I heard the Senator for Kiambu County trying to make issue with what I had said before. Just as much as the Constitution is important, Sen. (Dr.) Machage must abide by the Standing 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."
}