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{
    "id": 814170,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/814170/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 131,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "are finding it increasingly difficult sitting in committees because the committees are not listening to any advice. So, the committees should not say that they do not have people to assist them to arrive at fair decisions. Why is it that we keep trying to get various competencies into Parliament? It is because this institution is called upon to make determinations on all manner or issues. Some could be complex or technical. That is why we look for those competencies from outside on a regular basis when we have to look for them. I think it is only fair, even as I will make a definitive guidance on this matter that we try to retrace our steps. It is a matter that is becoming of great concern. I want to agree with the Leader of the Minority Party that you have no business defending people who appear before you. I also chair committees where we get witnesses. We have no business defending them. They know. Even villagers in ordinary subordinate courts are taken before courts and you hear them saying: “I did not know that what I did was wrong.” The Member for Sirisia knows that some years back, a policeman would arrest somebody and take them to a subordinate court and the first question the accused person would ask is: “How can I be here? I need to have been taken to an Omukasa or a Liguru, a village elder.” They never believed that a police officer could just go, arrest and hurl them to court. You should have consulted this village elder. He is more appropriate to deal with this matter. But, at least, they still make their defences. So, let us agree that the people that appear before us are also Kenyans like ourselves, human beings deserving of respect. Many have certain dignities that they would also want respected, just as much as we too go to great lengths to ensure that the honoured dignity of Members is respected and upheld at all times. So, we should extend to those who appear before us the same respect. Even when we do not agree with what they are saying, do not shout at them because you have the opportunity to retire and, with the technical advice from the staff, to write the report making recommendations. Why would you want to shout at them? Even if you do not agree with them or if you know, for whatever reason, that what they are saying is not true, you do not have to shout at them. Do not tell them: “You are a liar!” No. you will convince your colleagues when you retire to write the report and to do the recommendations to say what you think about them. Members of this House will read the report and look at the reasons why a committee thinks so and, who told them lies and why they think further investigations should be conducted by other agencies. Since we are not angels, whatever reports we come up with will be recommendations. Through our Committee on Implementation, those reports will go to whatever specialised agencies to do as you recommend. Our Committee on Implementation will then pursue those agents to know how far and what action they are taking in the enforcement of the recommendations adopted by the House. So, this is just gratuitous because there was an induction. I want to call upon the chairpersons of committees to be firm now. I know many of you had a lot of threats of impeachment. However, when your conscience is clean, do not fear. This is the biggest problem that has faced chairpersons of committees."
}