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{
    "id": 786168,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/786168/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 49,
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    "content": "First, looking at some of the incidents that happened during the debate that we had, there are some people who lost their lives and we must think about them. We must also think about how we can engage each other in a more structured way so that we can create an enabling environment; but history will be the judge. In another one year, we will look back and determine whether that handshake was good for the country or not. For it to be good for the whole country, you and I must play a role. I am never scared that the ultimate price should be paid. I know that there are many people on the other side who are prepared to pay the ultimate price for the good of this country. Therefore, I ask you to join together. Last year, we tried to come up with a joint process in this Senate where we could look at the Constitution, but it was cut short because of partisan interests. However, we now have an opportunity that will make the work of this country have meaning for those who have been excluded; for those who think that they have no space in this nation and for those who are merely looking for a cup of tea or something to eat as others have plenty. So, we, as the Senate, this is our time to show that leadership together with the two leaders. During that process, we should talk about Kenya with a little decorum and with respect. We sometimes tend to make our debate look like it is just name calling and we forget the issues that are facing the nation. Let us re-engineer national conversation so that we can talk to each other as women and men who desire good for this great country called Kenya. This is because there is no other country for us other than Kenya. Lastly, I would plead that we must advocate for a very strong Judiciary. You and I may be feeling very comfortable where we are. However, I know that at the time when leaders like even hon. Mwai Kibaki were in the opposition, they sometimes had to run to the Judiciary to resolve problems even within their political parties. We should not criminalise the justice system or the process of administering justice so that the wrong people are taken to court; or people are taken to court on trumped up charges; or we make our judges feel like they do not have room to administer justice freely and fairly as an independent institution. That also goes for Parliament. I hope that the design and architecture which is contained in the Constitution; that Parliament has legislative and oversight authority which it does not share with any other arm of government, should never be swallowed by the Executive, whether your party is in power or not. If we can maintain this Parliament to live to what it was designed to be in the Constitution, then Kenya will be headed in the right direction. When you look at the Constitution, the provisions relating to Parliament come before those of the Presidency, the Executive and even the Judiciary. So in the order of things, Parliament is a very important institution. Let us, therefore, use it for good and make Kenya – I do not want to quote President Trump – but we must strive to make Kenya great together and not in separate ways. There is a great verse in the Book of Isaiah that I am going to paraphrase. It pleads that those who carry weapons such as spears, should turn them into plowshares; and by the command of God, nations should cease to fight against nations. If the Kenyan communities want to live together, we should stop fighting against each other. Let that handshake be a shared handshake amongst us and as we walk out of this Chamber today, 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."
}