Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 946533,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/946533/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the formation of the Committee of the first 11 as I call them, to determine the question of impeachment of Gov. Samboja. Although the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader have declared that everybody is equal and that all of us are the same, I think that they have exercised some element of extreme caution and prudence in having this Committee and the Members. I therefore support the proposed Committee to that extent. I have sat in this House for the five impeachment proceedings that have taken place in this House. I sat in the Committee that handled the impeachment of Gov. (Prof.) Chepkwony. I would like the people of Taita/Taveta County, the Governor and the MCAs who are my neighbours, to sleep easy because this is a House of wisdom. This is the House that will determine this matter and possibly bring some order. I was beginning to miss impeachment proceedings because I am of the view that, as the Senate, we cannot abdicate our role of impeachment. The question of whether to impeach or not is our jurisdiction. Therefore, at any given opportunity, we must exercise that jurisdiction without fear or favour even when an injunction is issued. I am of the view that we must proceed because that is our role given to us by the people of Kenya. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have been wondering what it means to protect counties. We should protect the counties from within and without. It is climate control to bringing governors and the MCAs to order. I believe that Makueni County was brought to order when Gov. (Prof.) Kivutha Kibwana was impeached the first time. That sent a message that no one is above the law and that the MCAs are not to be ignored. Even then, in cases where the MCAs have impeached governors and the impeachments have been overruled, they have been alerted that they must follow the process. There must be public participation, and the Supreme Court has had its view on this issue. This is one opportunity for the 11 Senators to act like the Congress and ask questions. We must distinguish ourselves from the other House. We must ask the questions that must be asked of the Governor or the County Assembly of Taita/Taveta. That is the only way that we can bring order to the County Government of Taita/Taveta. Impeachment is a process to bring parties together to see reason like the Book of Isaiah says, ‘Come, let us reason together’ I thank you."
}