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{
    "id": 814504,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/814504/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 111,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Mahamud",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 373,
        "legal_name": "Mohammed Maalim Mahamud",
        "slug": "mohammed-mahamud"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I thank the Senate Majority Leader for bringing this Statement. It is surprising that time and again, our colleagues in the National Assembly, the House which I was in the previous two terms, take issues with the Senate. It is unfortunate that every time they attack and intimidate the Senate. We are not here because the National Assembly wants us to be here but because the people of Kenya wanted the Senate to be in place. That is why we passed the 2010 Constitution which established a bicameral Parliament and the functions of both Houses are well articulated in the Constitution. I urge our colleagues in the National Assembly to do their work diligently without making us scapegoats because we are not. They say simple minds discuss people, average minds discuss events and intelligent minds discuss ideas. Our colleagues in the National Assembly know where to place themselves in these three categories. The Senate is well anchored in the Constitution and we are here to defend devolution and whatever the Constitution of Kenya stands for. I would also like to urge our Press to not only educate Kenyans but also themselves that Parliament does not mean the National Assembly. Two days ago, it was reported that Parliament will resume sittings after recess. That is ironical. The people who work in the Press are supposed to be intelligent and they should not be saying that. They should distinguish between the National Assembly and the Senate. They need to know that Parliament means both Houses. Whatever is in the Constitution must be implemented. We must fight for our space according to the Constitution and do our mandate as required. The Speaker, who is the leader of this House, must stand and protect the interests of this House. In fact, laws that are passed by the National Assembly and sent for the President’s assent without coming here are illegal. As it was said by my colleague earlier, we should go to court and declare those laws illegal. It is unfortunate! I wonder why our colleagues in the National Assembly are hell-bent to demonize the Senate. We are not two wives competing for one husband. I think they are just jealous because our level of debates and the work output is worrying them. I was a Member of the National Assembly for the past two terms. At the beginning it was a small House of about 220 Members only. When the number moved up to 349, I got worried. I used to equate it to a primary school with 40 pupils in each class 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."
}