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{
    "id": 922308,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/922308/?format=api",
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    "content": "simple exercise. However, because of the greed that has permeated so strongly in our society, this has been difficult. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the question we need to continue asking is: “How much is enough and how much can people accumulate?” Many of these struggles we continue to speak about as a country is just because people are greedy. They want to create a crisis, which is why there was delayed importation of fertiliser. There is no rocket science that the countries we are importing maize from are engaged in. They have just made sure that farm inputs are available to the farmers at extremely low prices. That is how they are able to produce their maize at the price they are producing. It is not that Kenya does not know that, but because the people in positions of power are only interested in lining their pockets. We, as a House, have also failed to hold them to account. This is because, for sure, we cannot turn the Parliament of Kenya into a House of lamentation. We come and lament every other moment without identifying ways in which we will solve some of these issues. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it will be so unfortunate of us if we do not address our farmers and give them direction, particularly on this issue. I, therefore, urge my colleague, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, not to tire on this issue. I have read the Statement that you have placed before the House, and what you are seeking is just to make the House aware of the issues that are at fore. However, do not stop at that. Please, proceed and write even to the Liason Committee to advise on what Ministries are supposed to do when this House has made binding resolutions. This House is not just a gathering of 67 men and women, but a gathering of Kenya. This is where the whole of Kenya meets to discuss issues that are of concern to them. If Kenya has spoken and said to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation: “stop the monkey business that you are doing with maize,” then they need to stop. If somebody does not stop, the law allows us to take action against them and issue censures against the Cabinet Secretary (CS) and the Ministry officials who are not acting in accordance and spirit of what we have proposed as a House. It is, therefore, my sincere hope and belief that we can perhaps take this issue to be one of those that we have prosecuted up to its logical conclusion. I am so excited because of what we were able to do. It points to the fact that the Senate has come alive and been able to do something we have struggled and not been able to do for a long time. We have been speaking so boldly about how the National Assembly is violating the law and aiding the Executive in entrenching impunity in our country. However, today we said enough is enough. We have not just idly walked for that distance to go before the High Court. We are saying that the rule of law must be respected in this country. If anybody does not want to respect the rule of law, then the law must force them to respect it. Therefore, it is important that we stand up to all the bullies in the National Assembly and in the Executive. Let them know that this House is a creation of Kenyans. Until such a time that Kenyans tell us that they want to organize their legislature in a way other than the bi-cameral nature within which it exists, we shall continue to exercise our work with military precision. We shall ensure that every law that concerns our counties is brought before this House where we will look at it with a keen eye of ensuring that - The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}