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{
    "id": 650935,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/650935/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 229,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "April 27, 2016 SENATE DEBATES 31 Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for protecting me. I was addressing clear instances and issues, where certain Members had the privilege of being elected to this House on a number of political parties, because of a certain belief that they found to cut across the different political parties. However, that was not the crux of my argument. Allow me to continue with my train of thought. I want to address the provisions that have been put in this Bill. For the first time, there is a clear attempt to try and move us, as a nation, from having political parties that have got a following only in certain corners of this country. Some political parties, by hook or crook, are able to get an elected MCA or Senator from a certain corner of a country. My longing and desire is to walk in the Registrar of Political Parties office 15, 20 or 30 years down the line and be shown the gracious men and women that have had the chance to lead the political parties. Political parties should have great history, traditions and structures that go over and beyond an individual. For example, they should have a body that disciplines errant Members when they do not do certain things that pertain to being a Member of a certain political party. It is for this reason that I support the aspect of funding. One of the aspects that have been used to determine leadership in political parties is the monetary contributions. Monetary contributions by individual Members to certain political parties have been used to gauge the loyalty of certain individuals. That is the only yardstick that determines who becomes a party leader, organizing secretary or the secretary general. The fact that they will be drawing money from the Exchequer disassociates political parties from individuals. That is the crux of my argument. After a certain period of time, after a party has received good funding and its able to establish structures, we begin to have good ideological argument and realise that, for sure, we have a political party that stands for certain values. These are things that are developed over time. They do not develop overnight. In my earlier remarks I said that I do not want to make light of any of the efforts that have been made by previous or present political party leaders in the country. I understand the environment they work under and appreciate the fact that funding of our political parties is a step in the right direction. It will solve one of the struggles that we have had in this country for a long time. During my Maiden speech, I alluded to the fact much as we are in agreement on many issues, the political realities of the day may not allow my colleagues, especially those of my generation - Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. and Sen. M. Kajwang – to drink and espouse from the same political party. It is my dream that over time we will uphold the values that we hold dear as young leaders who have a dream of a better tomorrow. We will take over the battle from where the Senator for Kakamega will have left. We can overcome the challenges over time. It will not be unrealistic to find that, for example, Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. is my party leader and I am his deputy and we are running for the Presidency. We will be bound together by certain ideals and not because he comes from a particular region. That was my point. With those remarks, I beg to support. 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"
}