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{
    "id": 644409,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/644409/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 225,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance. I rise to contribute in support of the Speech made by His Excellency the President to the two Houses of Parliament. I want to address some of the issues that are worth noting, especially as a young legislator and someone who is still new in the House. There are some things that I observed on that day that bother me to this day. As political leaders, we should be careful in the way we carry ourselves and behave. We have supporters who draw their actions in society from what we do as leaders. The Presidential Address to Parliament is of great interest to all members of the society. Therefore, our behaviour as Members of Parliament during the Address greatly affects the country. I wish the Members of the Opposition were in the House as we make these contributions. We need to get to the point where we can disagree and still be civil with each other. That is something that cannot be gainsaid, especially having in mind what happened in the country in 2007 and 2008. People did not believe that they could disagree or protest and still be civil and obey the laws that are set. They did not understand that the person they were protesting against was not an enemy, but someone whose opinion was just contrary to theirs. Therefore, I was greatly saddened by the unfortunate events early into the Presidential Address. The form of protest that was chosen by some legislators did not please me. It sent out a wrong signal to the country, given that we are fully aware of the challenges that we face as we prepare to go into the general elections next year. As leaders, we should send out a good signal to our supporters through our actions. I want them to take a good example from my generation, and I like quoting this example so many times. In my generation, you will note that many young people in this country although drawn from different political aspirations and persuasions, sit together. They enjoy time together watching football matches. They debate many topical issues and they agree to disagree. However, they will never consider themselves as coming from different communities. In the past, we used to know certain socialization halls or bars were a preserve of people from a particular community who believed in one leader and so forth. This generation has moved away from that. It is our duty as leaders to also set a good example and know that we can disagree and still be civil with each other. 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"
}