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{
"id": 927117,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/927117/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
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"content": "Hon. Members, as you may be aware, on the evening of Friday, 26th July 2019, with great grief and sorrow, we received the sad news of the demise of the Member for Kibra Constituency, the late Hon. Ken Okoth, MP who passed away while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital. Hon. Members, the late Hon. Okoth made his debut in national politics in March 2013 when he vied for and successfully clinched the Kibra Constituency seat. His servant-leadership quickly earned him the adoration of his constituents, who re-elected him in the August 2017 General Elections to serve for a second term, a position he held until his passing on last Friday. The Late Hon. Okoth, an alumnus of Starehe Boys Centre, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York and Georgetown University, Washington DC, was a uniquely gifted and brilliant leader. Immediately upon being sworn in as a first time Member in the Eleventh Parliament, he took up his parliamentary roles with enthusiasm. Those who served alongside him in the eleventh Parliament will agree that, his swift mastery and grasp of parliamentary business ensured that his insightful and tremendously enriching contributions were keenly followed by all, particularly his contributions on legislation and matters relating to the education and human rights sectors. Hon. Members, the late Hon. Okoth spoke with exceptional articulation. Without a doubt, he was a firm leader who never shied away from defending the rights of his constituents and the people of Kenya in general. In Parliament, he championed for three issues among many others, and would always quote them, “Uchumi bora, Elimu kwanza na Mazingira bora.” He was also instrumental in the passage of two key pieces of legislation, namely, the Prevention of Torture Act, 2017 and the National Coroners Service Act, 2017. Hon. Members, as a vibrant Member of the august House, the late Hon. Okoth served actively and diligently, both in the House and in its committees. In the 11th Parliament (2013- 2017), he was a resourceful member of the Departmental Committee on Education, Research and Technology where his contributions and participation were commendable. In this 12th Parliament, he diligently served as a member in the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and the Procedure and House Rules Committee. He will also be remembered as the one of the founders and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Business. Many of us who interacted and worked with him will acknowledge that he was a resolute, humble, gentle, pleasant and amicable personality, and we will all miss him. Indeed, his passing on marks a dark moment not only for his family, the 12th Parliament and residents of Kibra Constituency, but for the country at large. Kenya has indeed lost a candid legislator, hard- working leader and a true son of Kenya who endeavoured to give everything for what he believed in with great courage, tenacity and humility. He leaves behind an outstanding track record in the management of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG- CDF), where his constituency was highly rated in the management of the Fund. Hon. Members, to accord the fallen gallant leader a decent send-off, I have appointed the following Members to an ad hoc c ommittee to liaise with the family in the funeral arrangements: 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."
}