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{
    "id": 617487,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/617487/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 94,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2559,
        "legal_name": "Stephen Muriuki Ngare",
        "slug": "stephen-muriuki-ngare"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to oppose this Motion. The spirit of our Constitution has equal opportunity embedded in it. When we heard the names which were nominated for the first time, we were all happy. The second time, we said that they are the ones who know the ropes. These committees are there for a purpose. There are others which go for five years and others are renewed every year. I think it is only fair that opportunities in these committees, especially this particular one, are given to different Members, but we are recycling the same names. When President Obama was in this country, not too long ago, he said many things and there is one particular statement I admire. He said this statement when he was in Addis Ababa where heads of state were gathered. Many of them in the African set up are clamouring for the third term against the provisions of their constitutions. President Obama’s words were simple. He said that he does not see why the whole country should change the Constitution just for an individual. For heaven’s sake let it not be that without you, the country cannot run. That is the reason being fronted by some heads of state. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the fact is that each one of the 68 Senators would wish to serve in the Rules and Business Committee (RBC). Therefore, we should give opportunity to everyone. I appreciate that some Members are there by virtue of their offices and I respect that. However, for the other slots, let us give equal opportunity to all the Members. I know that the right way to deal with what I am proposing is to propose an amendment to the original list and seek approval of the House. However, I do not want to do that because that would get personal. I therefore urge you to use your powers in the Constitution and the Standing Orders to adjourn this House for about an hour and specifically request the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders to consult more so that we give opportunity to a few more Members to serve in the RBC. Lastly, I would like to remind the incoming RBC that this House had a committee looking at what we needed to change in the Constitution in order for us to make this House truly the “Upper” House, as we sometimes refer ourselves to. We need proposals that can make this House truly the “Upper” House. I urge that the process be fast tracked whether it will involve a referendum or not. We have a duty as the first Senate after the new Constitution to effect that. I beg to oppose."
}