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{
    "id": 712428,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/712428/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 431,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "As we honour and embark into the process of putting in place legislation to honour true heroes of this country, let that process be truly one that recognises people who have made contributions that have made a difference in the lives of the people of this country. You saw the uproar that came up when, during Mashujaa Day, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was not mentioned among the heroes of this country. Raila Odinga was also not mentioned among the heroes of this country. We will have whatever we want to think about these people but no one can deny that the contributions they have made will last for a very long time. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, people may not know it. I remember an incident in the early 1990s, just after I had left university following the infamous Saba Saba Riots. When I was having a meal - I could afford then a glass of milk and chapatti on Luthuli Avenue at Kshs1.50 - there was a newspaper cutting showing the events of the Saba Saba. I just made an innocent comment: “I think what these people are fighting for is what a majority of the people of Kenya want.” Somebody told me that the comment was seditious and that I should follow him to the Central Police Station. That space has now been opened and people sacrificed to open that space. There are people who sacrificed their lives. They gave out blood and sweat to open up that space. If they do not qualify to be heroes of this nation then who deserves to be a hero? Today, people are free in this nation. I think we are one of the free nations in the world. This is because people can say whatever they want. Look at the social media. Listen to the debates on topical issues that affect the people of Kenya. Indeed, that latitude that has opened up took a lot of sacrifice. I want to believe that those who made it possible for us to get that space where people can freely express themselves are the heroes of this nation. This is because people can now express themselves on how they want to be governed. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, even as we make amendments, let us bear in mind that ultimately the decision on who qualifies to be a hero in this nation should be based on objectivity. We must look at the quantifiable contributions that move this country forward. It does not matter whether you like the person or not; history cannot be changed. You cannot change the contributions that people have made. Let us have a process that does not depend on the whims of an individual as a way of identifying our heroes. When Kenyans truly identify, honour and embrace its heroes, it means we truly acknowledge where we have come from as a nation. It also means we appreciate where we are and that actually becomes our platform for aspiring where we want to go. With those remarks, I support."
}