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{
    "id": 69863,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/69863/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 191,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of this Motion. The Motion is encouraging our neighbour and friend, Sudan. The Motion is non-partisan. It is just calling upon the people and the Government of Sudan to not only proceed to have a peaceful referendum, but also to respect the outcome. We are peripheral stakeholders in what happens in Sudan. Being neighbours, we must remain engaged and interested. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know very well that when Sudan was in turmoil Kenya was the nation that most of the Sudanese people sought refuge in. Some of them have not even returned. It is a great thing that one of the Members of Parliament – the Mover of this Motion – thought of bringing the Motion to enable Parliament to express solidarity with the people of Sudan and encourage them. It is wrong for us to wait until matters are out of hand to mourn with our neighbours. It is better we encourage them to walk on the right path so that we can have peaceful neighbours. Apart from the investments in the peace process and by Kenyans in the Sudan, we have a greater long- term investment. A peaceful neighbour means prosperity for both nations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I long for the day that we will have a similar Motion or a Motion crafted in similar terms, bringing peace to Somalia. We must become proactive. Africans must help fellow Africans. Even though colleagues from Parliament went and involved themselves in the referendum campaigns, they went as individuals and not as Parliament. Kenya upholds the liberties of association and expression. Right now, one of the principals is out in Uganda in the campaign. He is exercising his freedom of expression and association. Several Members of Parliament have been there and I know that there are some who have agreements with fellow Members of Parliament that “next time you are campaigning, I am coming to support you.” When you go as an individual, you are not binding the country. You are just expressing your freedom as an individual. So, these Members did not bind Parliament. They expressed themselves. I cannot condemn them for exercising their freedom, even if I differ with them. Even if I differ with you, I will uphold your freedoms under the Constitution."
}