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{
    "id": 660646,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/660646/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Murungi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 93,
        "legal_name": "Kiraitu Murungi",
        "slug": "kiraitu-murungi"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to support this amendment Bill. I would like to echo the spirit in which the Senator for Mombasa County, Sen. Hassan, expressed himself. It is common knowledge that the only sector that Kenya is known for internationally is the sports sector. especially athletics. It is in the long distance races that Kenyans shine everywhere in the world. Whenever we travel, no one asks us about Ministers, tea or coffee in Kenya. Even those who do not speak English have seen Kenyan athletes on television. Therefore, this is one of the most important sectors in Kenya. The athletes should be the owners of Brand Kenya because they market Kenya more than the advertisements we pay for on CNN or hiring image promoters from countries like the United States of America (USA) or Britain. That money can be used to promote sports because it gives Kenya the image that we have been unable to get through other sectors. Madam Temporary Speaker, Rugby is also an upcoming sport that should also be supported because it could also be affected by the same challenges that we have noticed in athletics. The doping rumour was denied for a long time and it is only recently that the problem was acknowledged. As other Senators have said, cheating has now become a Kenyan culture. Some people cheat in examinations. The Cabinet Secretary in charge of Education had to take some drastic steps that included banning parents from visiting their children in schools to avoid leakages and stealing of exams. This Bill is meant to bring about a system that will bring honour and integrity in our sports. It is for that reason that I support the amendments. It is very unfortunate that we were called in a hurry and passed the Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 17 of 2016) which was later found not to meet international standards. I hope that with these amendments, those standards are going to be met and that our athletes will not be treated with suspicion when participating in international races. Madam Temporary Speaker, there is a lot of racism in sports. Not everyone out there is happy when Kenyans win every race. If they could find ways of proving that Kenyans are corrupt and engage in doping, hence the reason we have been winning races over time, they would be very happy to expose us. We have to prove as a country that we are winning fairly and squarely and not through any influences. I am in agreement with the Senators who have said that it is sports that unite Kenyans. Whenever we watch athletes on television carrying the Kenyan flag, we feel proud even though we do not come from that part of the country that participates in those races. I am always proud to see that a Kenyan has won a race especially when they take the first three positions. They could be Kalenjins from small villages that Sen. Murkomen mentioned but to me, they are Kenyans. That is the spirit that we should promote. Madam Temporary Speaker, I disagree with Sen. Murkomen who tried to lampoon the Senate Minority Leader for going for lunch at the State House today. The days when we used to avoid State House for fear of being told that you have eaten Ugali 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"
}