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{
    "id": 812721,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812721/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 355,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "July 11, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 46 Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Bill. Many of my colleagues have contributed to this Bill with a lot passion. When Sen. Mwaura was on the Floor, I could tell this Bill deserves seriousness. Madam Temporary Speaker, I thank the Senator of Narok County, my good friend, Sen. Olekina for well-thought out amendments to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 2 of 2018). I agree leadership is a calling which needs sacrifice. It is more of a sacrifice to the people. It does not have personal benefit to a leader. Napoleon once said: “Leaders are dealers of hope”. Therefore, we, as leaders, must inspire and give hope to our people so that we achieve our dream, as a nation. Madam Temporary Speaker, there are high expectations from people when they meet a retired Member of Parliament, councillor or anybody else who has served in a position of leadership. They asked what those people did with their life when they were leaders. That is what Sen. Mwaura said that it calls upon the people in leadership to try and aggrandize, steal and perpetuate corruption. This is because they know that after they fail to be elected again, they do not have an opportunity. It is hard for somebody who has been in politics or leadership to earn a living or to get a job. That is why we find that many leaders who did not make it in the last general election or those who have served this country with distinction, used their productive years to change the lives of Kenyans, are now languishing in poverty. Madam Temporary Speaker, we appreciate there are iPads in this Chamber. I can see Sen. Olekina is smiling because he might be tech savvy like many of us. I urge the leadership of Senate to update and make sure the internet being accessed here is faster because some of us rely more on online access. With your guidance, you should direct them to ensure the internet access in this Chamber is supersonic, so that we access reference material quickly. The issue of former councillors has been with us for the longest time possible. It is a pity to see them struggling to make their ends meet. They are currently referred to as County Assembly Members (MCAs). It is paining when one is invited to a fundraiser of a leader who cannot even support his family because he did not get re-elected. Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to appreciate the famous “handshake” although some of us have been very cautious about it. The former Prime Minister said he will give full disclosure of what the “handshake” was all about. It was between him and President Uhuru. If he has done so, it is okay. This is because there was a lot speculation. It was even said for the former Prime Minister and Vice-President to access their pension benefits, they had to become politically inactive. I know this Bill will generate a lot of interest. However, we are looking into the future. We do not know what will happen in future. Some people told me to support this Bill because nobody knows about the future. However, I am certain about the future because I know the fifth President will be Hon. William Samoei Ruto. My friend, Sen. Olekina, was trying to prepare a soft landing. I assure him the future is bright. Maybe in future and it is infinite, some of these issues will be put to rest. Let us avoid looting. We want to see other families. These are people who have a particular stature in the society. 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."
}