Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 867664,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/867664/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 74,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I rise to support the ratification of the bilateral air services agreements between Kenya, Jordan, Jamaica and Bahamas as presented by the Committee. I thank the Committee for the good work. Article 2(6) of the Constitution is very clear. It says that for any treaty or convention to be part and parcel of our Kenyan laws, it must be ratified by Parliament. The law is very clear. The Treaty Making and Ratification Act say that it is the National Assembly that ratifies them. When I was listening to the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing moving the Motion, I was wondering about the jurisdiction. In the last Parliament, I served in the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations with Hon. Pkosing and I do not know how this matter changed. I thought it should have been handled by the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, but today, we see the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing dealing with the issue. So, we do not even know. In future, this needs to be clarified because previously, it is the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations that dealt with this issue. It is the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations that is supposed to be in line with all the ratifications. Anyway, now that it is already on the Floor of the House, we are here to support it. When you look at the foreign policy of this country, it is commercially-based. For a commercially- based foreign policy to be effected, obviously, we must look at issues of air transport. To transact business, air transport is very critical. This convention is going to be very critical as far as improving business between the said countries is concerned. The last time I was in Turkey with His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, when I was a Member of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, I remember issues of tea came up. Our tea is exported to Turkey. Once these bilateral agreements are ratified, they are going to add value as far as business between Kenya and Turkey is concerned in terms of tea. Tea plays an important role in contributing to the GDP of this country. I have also seen other agreements like that between Kenya and Jordan. Of course, this is going to open the Middle East. Jordan plays a vital role in the Christian history because River Jordan is where Jesus was baptised. We have seen many pilgrims from this country going to Jordan. I was there three weeks ago with the Catholic Members of Parliament and we went to Israel and Jordan. This is going to enhance exchange of Christian values. This discussion is, indeed, critical. It is going to add a lot of value. Again, when it comes to public participation, the Committee has done a wonderful job. Article 118 of the Constitution is very clear that before any legislation is passed, it must be subjected to public participation. I do not have much to say. I request other Members to support this straight-forward ratification. I support the Motion. Thank you. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}