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{
    "id": 789413,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/789413/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 50,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "time when the Forum for Restoration of Democracy (FORD) political party, as it was, had some infighting. The Attorney General then had the powers to deregister a society or a political party where it was not clear who the leaders were. To me, it was not clear who the leaders in FORD were because they were fighting. There was a lot of pressure on me to deregister it. I held discussions with the late Matiba and the late Martin Shikuku who represented one faction. I also held discussions with the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga with his retinue including James Orengo, Paul Muite and the rest. I told them that I had powers and I could deregister them but I asked them to help me not to deregister them. I asked both of them to register FORD afresh but with the suffix which distinguished the two factions. They were suspicious that if they did that, I would deregister FORD-Kenya and not register the new party but I promised not to do that. The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga asked me to register FORD-Kenya which I did immediately. Since the late Matiba had the certificate, he wanted them to continue as FORD-Kenya but when I advised he quickly agreed. He used to call me Amos. He said that they would use “Asili” a Swahili word meaning “original.” In other words, they were the “FORD original” and I registered them. We continued that way. One time, I attended the KANU Executive Committee meeting because the Attorney-General had the authority to attend. Very early the following morning, the late Matiba was in my office. He said “I respect you very much Amos. You went to Alliance High School whose motto is ‘Strong to Serve’ but why do you continue sitting in those meetings?” I told him that I went there because I was invited. I asked him to invite me during the launch of FORD-Asili. I promised him that I would explain to the party the legislations that were upcoming in Parliament. He was quite happy and we had a cup of tea and then he left. We continued to be in good terms. That is why when the family asked me to do something, I had to do it when he was very sick. The late Matiba stood for democracy, the rule of law, freedom and hard work. In fact, the Alliance High School motto is Strong to Serve . He actually lived that motto because he was there to serve. In whatever undertakings he took, be it in football, climbing mountains and so on, he did it with vigour and gusto. He also encouraged me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. He said that I must keep fit. So, I really regarded him as a person to emulate in being strong to serve the people of this country in whatever role you are. To me, the best way we can keep the memory of Matiba is at this point in time. I want to take this opportunity to refer to the joint letter signed by the President and Hon. Raila which clearly set out a very basic agenda of issues that must be addressed by this country. The late Matiba had very strong beliefs. It is because of those issues that Matiba suffered physically fighting for. They were democracy, the rule of law and inclusivity. Though he was a kikuyu and somebody has said that, he got most of his votes from my area, the former western province which is inhabited by Luhyas. He got votes from Luhyaland because Luhyas are known for democracy and freedom of speech and not being swayed this or that way. 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."
}