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{
    "id": 723674,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/723674/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 260,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Muthama",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 96,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Nduya Muthama",
        "slug": "johnson-muthama"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I sat here pensively and listened to Sen. Sang, Sen.(Prof.) Lesan, Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. and Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale on the subject matter that was brought up by Sen. Sang. I just want to share the experience I have from the Tenth Parliament to the Eleventh Parliament. Experience is the best teacher. When I was the Chief Whip in the Tenth Parliament, Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o was a Minister. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale was a Member of Parliament and also in charge of one of the most serious committees. The failure of transacting business in this House starts with the leadership, which I am part of. While I admit that I am part of it, it is up to the Government side to make sure that the leadership of this House meets with the top leadership of the country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I cannot count the number of times I sat with former President Kibaki and former Deputy President Kalonzo Musyoko when there were crucial issues in the House. I presented to the leadership what was needed to be done starting with Members of Parliament to the Cabinet Ministers. That was one of the most difficult governments to manage. Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o can tell you there were times--- Forget about having the Bills passed or discussed, but we managed the situation. We all know the Executive in this country is fighting the leadership of this House and the Senate. None of those who are in top leadership want the Senate to continue transacting business to do with this country. How many Bills have passed here and they have gone nowhere? We have been shortchanged by the National Assembly severally. This being the “Upper House” of this country has been made to be the “Lower House”. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Speaker of the Senate and the leadership of the Majority side should face the President and ask him whether we have business being here or not. We cannot recall the leadership of this House sitting down with the President deliberating on issues to do with this House. Who is supporting the business of this House? It starts with the President, the Deputy President and the Cabinet Secretaries. Those are the people who will capture the need and business of this House. I confess that, if today either Raila Odinga or Kalonzo Musyoka was the President of this country and Sen. Muthama was seated there, you would see things moving in this House like you have never seen. You people should bring the leadership here and stop complaining about it. We pass Bills yet nothing happens to those Bills. Is it up to the Members of the Senate to assent to those Bills? It is not the work of the Senate to dictate and instruct the leadership of the country that what has been passed and approved here has to be attended to. We should be faithful with our work. I challenge the leadership of Jubilee, not next month but in the coming week, to hold a meeting with the President and tell him that they carry the people’s vote and that they were elected by the people . They should come here and do Business. They should not bring the Opposition into this. This idea is to undo what you are trying to do. For the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}