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{
    "id": 696001,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/696001/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 43,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this important Bill. I support the object of this Bill which is to open the Kenyatta Mausoleum to the public and to have it managed under the National Museums and Heritage Act. This is great recognition of the contribution of the founding father of this nation, not only to the history of this country but to the history of Africa. This is particularly recalling his involvement in the Pan-African Movement at the time. This was the great period when Africa thought that one day it will manage itself as one big bloc. We still hope that will happen. As we do that, it is also important that we remember that there are other heroes in this country. We remember the Kapenguria Six and the contribution they made to this country. We remember people like Pio Gama Pinto, Tom Mboya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the late Ronald Ngala. Even now, there are Kenyans, not only in the political arena but also in other arenas like athletics that are giving Kenya a great name. They too need to be remembered. It is important to have memorials such as mausoleums that act as a repository, sometimes for their remains and artefacts that depict their activities during their lives that made contributions to our country. Access to such museums is important for the public. It is only in that way that we and our children can be reminded of the role models that we have. As a country, we are now crying for role models that can shape the thinking and conduct of our people. That is what we need. This will improve our national cohesion and lead to the creation of a nation. Many of us do not remember that we are a State but as a nation, we have not done well. I do not think Kenya, as a nation, exists in the minds of other people. How else would we have people as important as Members of Parliament referring to entities like the Luo nation, the Luhya nation or the Abagusii nation? Although we say these things in jest, they actually depict what is deep inside us. We have not interred Kenya as a nation in our heart. What bring us together are documents like the Constitution and laws that create a state. However, to create a nation we need something that is deeply ingrained in our hearts. It is important to levy charges when we open the mausoleum but that is a very small element of the whole issue. The whole point is the role in creating the nation of Kenya. This Bill is appropriate. I remember when this Bill was laid on the Table. It was around the time when we were celebrating the day Mzee passed away. On that day, I remember His Excellency the President and the Leader of the Opposition were there together. They both promised that we will have peaceful elections. You can, therefore, see the importance of having a mausoleum and these artefacts being open to the public. As we put this mausoleum in place and open it, we must ask ourselves whether we have maintained the vision of our forefathers. I am sorry to say that we have not done that. We have been challenged by factors like corruption and ethnicity. These are two things that in my mind, as a country, we must struggle against. They are the greatest hindrance to our development. It is The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}