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{
    "id": 772932,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/772932/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 51,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, it would be a tragedy for the Senate to amend the Constitution based on this ground. Although the petitioner has what would appear to be a query, it would appear to the public that if we were to propose amendment to the Constitution to remove the word “harambee,” we would not look very serious because we have more serious issues to deal with. Having said that, in the law of evidence, we have something called public notoriety; some things have acquired public notoriety. If you were to remove the word “harambee” not just from the Constitution, you possibly have to amend text books, dictionaries, including Oxford, and many other documents. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although you have approved this petition, this is one of those petitions you should give 7 days and not 60 days. Give it to the Secretariat so that they can write the history of where the word “harambee” came from. In the County of Makueni where the Indian coolies were constructing the railway, we find a lot of things that were left behind by them and we do not complain. This petition should not take 60 days; let us deal with it quickly so that we can give a verdict of this word immediately. We cannot remove the word “harambee” either from the Constitution, text books or civics because that is what we have taught people from the past. We must learn to appreciate history. I was reading the history of the Kenyan flag in a Motion that was moved by the late Tom Mboya before Independence. That material is available in the library. That sort of research ought to help the petitioner once we submit the reply to him. However, if you were to subject this to a referendum or a question, it would look terrible. Please, let us dispose of this as soon as possible so that we can move on to more urgent business. 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"
}