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{
    "id": 78589,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/78589/?format=api",
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    "content": "somebody to step aside. That is what I am talking about. However, the idea of saying that somebody should step aside because they have been adversely mentioned--- Mentioning somebody adversely does not necessarily mean that, that person is guilty of an offence. We have institutions that are charged with the responsibility of carrying out investigations. If the institutions have carried out the investigations and there is sufficient evidence, of course, we will ask somebody to step aside. That is consistence with Chapter Six of the Constitution. Mr. Ruto, although the Speaker answered him, said that MPs were overstepping their mandate. No one has implied or said that. All we have said is that Parliament has a clear role which is spelt out in the Constitution - oversight. Oversight must be properly interpreted. The Executive has also a very clear mandate. The Executive must also execute responsibilities which are conferred upon it by the Constitution and also by Parliament. Parliament approves Budgets. That Budget must be implemented. Money must be spent by the Executive in order to implement the projects that are in the Budget. If Parliament is living in the Executive, then there is no point of there being an Executive and a Parliament. Oversight does not mean that Parliament is doing the work of the Executive. There is a very clear line of demarcation. We also said that Parliament must be transparent in its oversight work. For example, in Britain, there was a time when Members of Parliament were accused of receiving money to ask Questions in Parliament. That was intended to smear the names of other Members of Parliament. Parliament must use the same standards it demands of the Executive so that the Executive is allowed to function efficiently and effectively. The hon. Member for Lari was concerned about the security of citizens. There can be no economic development or growth without proper security in our country. The Government is not compromising on this issue. He talked about fishermen in Vanga, Migingo Islands and the pirates in the high seas. We are very concerned, as a Government, and we are spending a lot of resources to provide security to the citizens. As we know, Migingo Island is in dispute and the matter is in the process of being resolved. With regard to Vanga Island, we have a very good relationship with our neighbouring country - Tanzania. There are always some criminals who move around and interfere with the peace of citizens of other countries. However, our security forces are on the alert. With regard to the piracy on the high seas, this is an issue of serious concern as I am talking. The pirates have now moved into Kenyan waters. As I am talking, the attacks are not only confined outside the Kenyan waters. They are moving to the waters of our country and even arresting our fishermen. So, security is being revamped in the country. We may also have to revise our laws. There was a ruling of the High Court two days ago, which freed some pirates who had been arrested in the high seas by a foreign country and handed over to our country. The ruling was that the offence was not committed on the Kenyan soil and, therefore, it was not an offence under our laws. The ships that are being pirated are carrying goods destined for Kenya and East African Coast. As a result of the activities of the piracy, insurance premiums have gone up and the goods coming into our country have become very expensive. That ruling has very far reaching consequences to our national security and trade. This is an issue that we may call upon Parliament to address."
}