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{
    "id": 993611,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/993611/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 415,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, in my previous responsibility as the Senate Majority Leader, I did my best to push Government business in this House and to defend the President and his administration whenever they came under political attack. Subsequently, the Jubilee Party with full blessings of President Kenyatta nominated me to run for the post of Deputy Speaker of this House to which I was elected and I am grateful, to assist you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, as your deputy in the non-partisan role of being an impartial umpire on disputes brought before this House. In that role, I have tried my best, not only to be fair, but also to appear to be fair. If I have made any errors, to err is human. The reason I have been this way is because of the need to ensure that we do not compromise the dignity and independence of Parliament as an arm of Government. Outside this Chamber, I have carefully calibrated my political utterances to give full respect and dignity to the constitutional office that I have been holding as an impartial umpire at least until the end of this Sitting. Neither in my previous role as Senate Majority Leader nor in my current role as Deputy Speaker that ends today, have I ever disrespected the Leader of my Party. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have endeavoured to respect my colleague Senators. This respect has been sincere and deep from my heart despite the unique challenges of moderating parliamentary debates because sometimes you have to rule a Senator out of order and sometimes it does not look tidy. Despite that, I have tried my best to restrain myself and to respect each and every Senator and to give each Member of this House an opportunity to address the nation and address the people who have sent us to this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in recent times, I have somewhat restrained myself as I observe the worrying political developments that threaten to polarize our country to unprecedented levels."
}