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{
    "id": 68732,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/68732/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 163,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
    "speaker_title": "The Prime Minister",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 195,
        "legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
        "slug": "raila-odinga"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Nyambati wanted to know about the Uhuru Park attacks. Investigations are incomplete. So, we are not able at the moment to tell exactly who were behind the attacks at Uhuru Park. Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Mureithi, of course, has informed us that he was a victim of the 1998 bomb attack and he asked two questions which could have been addressed to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) or to you rather than me. One, he asked what steps I was taking to distribute Members of Parliament so that they are not collectively too exposed? Hon. Members of Parliament are also Kenyans. What about civil servants who are working in Jogoo House? What about other people who are working in the International Life House or Kenyans who are working in the Agriculture House? If you were to go this route, we would be giving each and every individual their own accommodation or offices. That is practically not possible. He also asked what steps I was taking to protect the documents that we have in this House such as the HANSARD record and so on. I would like him to direct that Question to the Chair or the PSC, which is more competent to deal with that matter. If it is resources that they need, I would be willing to ensure that they get resources. Hon. Gabbow and Twaha asked the same question. First they want to have a definition of terrorism. Terrorism is an act of violence intended to achieve political, ideological, religious or similar objectives. That is terrorism as defined internationally. This has no boundaries. It is not aimed at a particular community, religion or race. We are talking about an act. Mr. Speaker, Sir, for example, the gentleman of the day before yesterday did not know who were the passengers in the bus he was taking the bomb into. Those passengers were innocent people. If he intended to attack the Ugandan Government, those were civilians and not Ugandan Government. The other day, during the final of the world cup in South Africa, they dropped a bomb in a night club where people were watching soccer and killed 76 innocent people. So, this kind of acts cannot be tolerated or defended by any sane person. This is why we are saying, if it is terrorism, it needs to be dealt with. Those people who wanted to bomb the American Embassy ended up killing so many innocent Kenyans in that act of 1998, people who had nothing to do with what they were trying to solve. That is why I want to plead with this House that let us not refuse to face this danger called terrorism on the basis of religion in this country. This Bill has been brought before this House three times. It has failed because of the misconception that a particular community is being targeted. This Government has the responsibility to ensure that every Kenyan, irrespective of their religion, is protected. We are doing it as a matter of course. So, let our citizens not stop us from coming up with proper legislation that will make us more effective in fighting terrorism."
}