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{
    "id": 782496,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/782496/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 363,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the National Flag, Emblems and Names (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 8 of 2017) be now Read a Second Time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, from the outset, I have done some tremendous research in order to come up with this Bill in terms of the proposal, which is going to change the way we do things in this country. My research has shown that the flag of Kenya has been treated like a privilege. It has become a status symbol and it has been left to the few. That is the reason why those who lost their positions by virtue of being sacked, their flags were removed at any point, even on the road, because that flag represents power. But the concept of the flag of Kenya is something different. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to say that the National Flag, Emblems and Names Bill was moved by the then Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the late Tom Mboya, on 26th November, 1963. That is where I want to begin; from the last statement he made. He said this and I want to repeat it for the record: “Sir, I can only repeat again that the purpose of this Bill is to secure the dignity and respect that the national flag and emblem of this country deserves, as you have also said of the flag and emblem of the United Nations. We intend that, on our Independence, there should be as much celebration as possible. But there should be no disrespect whatsoever of the flag or emblems of the new nation. We intend that after Independence, the use of the national flag or the emblem shall be on the basis of dignity that these articles deserve. They will be respected because they are the basis and the symbol of the new nation of our country. All our people have sacrificed so much for this Independence and, therefore, the symbols of our independence shall always carry the same degree, affection and respect they deserve.” Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, why is it a crime to fly a flag outside your residence? Why is it a crime to fly a flag outside your office, if it is not a Government office and you are not a State officer? I have gone out of my way to put a flag outside all my offices, even in Ukambani, because I want to see if anybody is going to arrest me because I want to fly the Kenyan flag. This drove me to think carefully about why we have prohibited 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."
}