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"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the further amendment to the amendment to this Motion because without it, many of us would not have agreed with the Motion as worded. Indeed, it is a time of need in our country, and I want to thank the President and the Executive for the actions that they have been taking. We are seeing good leadership through the Cabinet Secretary, hon. Mutahi Kagwe and his team. They said that we need to maintain only essential services. In considering this amendment and even the Motion later, I ask myself the following three questions: (1) Is the Senate an essential service to Kenyans? (2) What do Kenyans need at this time? (3) What are other parliaments doing around the world? It is a global pandemic that has hit so many parts of the world. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a time for vigilance; it is not a time for anarchy. In fact, what is spreading more than the Coronavirus Disease is fear and rumours. Those two are spreading further and faster than the Coronavirus Disease. On the first question, yes, indeed the Senate is an essential service. I have heard Members say that let us take a break of one month and reassess. In this one month and in the next three weeks, Kenyans will need us more. At the time of crisis is when leadership is needed; not to take a break and look like we are absconding duty or hiding from the people. Other countries have faced this challenge. Right now, in the United States of America (USA) they have very many cases. But just yesterday, in the US Senate, where there are six Members who have self-quarantined, they are debating what they call the Coronavirus Relief Bill. They are doing their legislative work and seeing what best to do at a time of crisis. They are not going home or hiding under their beds. However, they have put in place measures. There are no visits to the Congress or tourists being allowed to go to Parliament. In the United Kingdom (UK) there is a death toll of 55. The Health Secretary herself has been diagnosed and there are more than 43 people who are sick. However, they have ruled out adjourning Parliament completely. They have just scaled down visits to the House of Commons and House of Lords, and put in place measures. It is the time to put our heads together, of course not physically, to see what measures can be taken at this time of crisis; not to go home. If I go home today, the people who are congregating in Marigiti and Nyamakima will say that the Senator is safe, and they have been left alone. Who will speak for the people of Nairobi? Who will question the national Government? Who will question county governments on this issue? Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I finish, yesterday in India, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a parliamentary group meeting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament (MPs). He told them: “In fact, at this time, please, give us ideas. Go to your constituencies over the weekend and talk to the people, but legislate. Our work right now of legislating, representing and oversight is more important than any at the time of calm and at the time of peace.” 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."
}