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{
    "id": 68405,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/68405/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. C. Kilonzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 46,
        "legal_name": "Charles Mutavi Kilonzo",
        "slug": "charles-kilonzo"
    },
    "content": "On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise on a different issue. I rise on a point of order to seek the Chair’s guidance on the issue of the funding of the National Assembly by foreign countries and in particular the United States of America. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the United States of America (USA) has been funding Parliament through the State University of New York (SUNY), and hon. Members have been raising their discomfort on this matter privately. My concern is the statements by the American Ambassador to the effect that he is in control of Parliament. It is now apparent that the funding of Parliament by the American Government was not in good faith. I was one of the Members of Parliament who met a delegation from the USA here in Parliament on a fact-finding mission on the role of SUNY. Members present did make it very clear that they did appreciate the support of SUNY, but on condition that there were no strings attached. It now appears that the intention of the USA was to compromise the decisions of the National Assembly. A good example is a certain Committee which made a Report and the House adopted it. The Ambassador had a different view. When the Chair of that Committee was going to the USA on parliamentary duties, he found his visa had been revoked. That amounts to blackmail which is not acceptable. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, to allow this House to perform its duties freely and independently, this House; I and others, are of the strong opinion that no country should be funding the National Assembly. With those few remarks, I seek your guidance on that matter."
}