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{
    "id": 627416,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/627416/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 331,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "March 2, 2016 SENATE DEBATES 31 Sen. Billow",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like the Hon. Senators from the other side to listen to me carefully because we do not want them to embrace the infamous traditions of the old days of KANU where people were expelled simply because of expressing dissent. The decision they made is not only contemptuous, but dictatorial. When we set up a committee in this House, it can work in a bipartisan manner at any one time. There are many times that we support the views of our colleagues in a bipartisan manner; and the same can also be expressed. It defeats the whole essence of parliamentary democracy if we start expressing sensitivity to a very simple matter. If there was anything wrong with their Member, they should have de-whipped him before he was elected as the Chairperson of the CPAIC. As we have heard from Sen. (Dr.) Machage, that Coalition had no wisdom. They should have consulted. We, as a House, must respect that each one of us is equal to the task of being a Senator. We are all here rightfully. Sen. Mongare was elected by the people of Nyamira County to represent them here. It is true that the parties have their own political party rights, but the Constitution is more supreme. The constitutional right of a Member should not be undermined under the guise of political party discipline. That is why I am saying that if we allow this culture to go on, it can be used tomorrow to their own disadvantage. There are chairpersons whom we have elected to lead committees where we, as Jubilee, are in the majority. It is not right for us to de-whip somebody simply because of their opinion or because we do not like the views that they have given. It would be a shame on this party that many have said is draconian. Many have said that the leader of CORD is a dictator and they have now demonstrated that in their rank and file in this House through their Minority Leader; that they truly represent a dictatorial party."
}