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{
    "id": 986459,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/986459/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 51(1) to make a Statement on the issue for which the Ad Hoc Committee is responsible, namely the request for Statement by Sen. James Orengo, Senior Counsel, MP, regarding the burial of Mr. James Oyugi Onyango, a resident of Siaya County, who reportedly died of COVID-19 disease. As Senators will recall, this said Statement was sought from the Ad Hoc Committee on the COVID-19 Situation during our Sitting of last Tuesday, 14th April, 2020. In the Statement, the Senator sought the following information- (1) The cause of death of Mr. James Oyugi Onyango; (2) The reason and justification for the burial of the deceased at night, in a shallow grave and without being placed in a coffin as the family had planned; (3) Why there was a complete disregard of the protocols laid out by the Ministry of Health concerning respect for the dignity of the dead, hours of burial and sensitivity to acceptable cultural practices and traditions; and, (4) Why there was no consultation with the family and community before the burial. Mr. Speaker, Sir, first, I would like to join Sen. Orengo and the other Senators who spoke on the matter, expressing outrage at the manner in which the burial was done. As a Committee, we raised this matter with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health during the meeting on Saturday, 18th April, 2020. The CS and the PS expressed their regret and conveyed their apologies on how the burial was undertaken. Mr. Speaker, Sir, despite that, I insisted that we need a written official response on top of the apologies in trying to explain why it happened in that manner and that accountability and action will be taken. The response that they have done is ready, but the copy I have seen is not signed. So, I will not be in a position to give it to the House. I seek your indulgence to give it officially next Tuesday."
}