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{
    "id": 610556,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/610556/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 167,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) R.N. Wanyonyi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 520,
        "legal_name": "Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi",
        "slug": "reginalda-nakhumicha-wanyonyi"
    },
    "content": "resisted the British colonial rule were killed. Up to now, the people living in those places are stigmatised because of the manner in which their people were killed. There are certain phrases that were used at that time, for example the “war of diarrhoea” which in the Luhya language means “the war of kumunyalasia”, which means war where resistance of people armed with crude weapons could not march the British defences, who were armed with guns. People were killed in such a manner that they could not withstand. As we talk of how to compensate the victims of the struggle for independence, we need to understand that the atrocities happened across the country. It would, therefore, be unfair to compensate different people in piecemeal. It is important that we sit down, as a Government, and assess the magnitude of the matter across the country. We should go back in history and look at the reports of our population census that we carry out every 10 years. There must have been a census taken in 1949 and 1959. We could use the 1949 census report as a benchmark for compensation. The people who were around then are the ones who should be compensated by the British Government for the atrocities they suffered as they struggled to liberate this country. We need to come up with a benchmark of that kind. I agree with hon. Members who suggested that we come up with a committee that will assess the situation with a view to compensating all Kenyans who were affected, and not just those who had the advantage of accessing the court in London. Such an approach will help to resolve the problem once and for all. If I may go to the issue of Dini ya Musambwa, I would like to thank hon. Wangamati for mentioning it. It must go on record that when we talk of the very first African religion, it is Dini ya Musambwa. Its founder, Mzee Elijah Masinde wa Nameme is one of those people who resisted the British. He is one person whose whole life was actually torn into war with the British. Left and right, he struggled so much. As we are talking, those are some of the heroes that are very much unsung to the dismay and shame of some of us who stand here and cannot remember how they struggled to have the freedom that we are enjoying now. In fact, as we talk, the late Mzee Elijah Masinde wa Nameme, in my view, is one person we should have an institute or even a whole university built in his honour in the Western Kenya region. That will be in memory of the struggle for the freedom we are enjoying right now. As I finish, I want to thank hon. Patrick Wangamati for bringing up this Motion and I urge Members that we support and pass it. Let us dance and embrace our heroes and be Kenyans who can make those who struggled proud and be remembered. With those few remarks, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I support this Motion. Thank you."
}