HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, POST, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"count": 1608389,
"next": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=api&page=153830",
"previous": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=api&page=153828",
"results": [
{
"id": 1556482,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556482/?format=api",
"text_counter": 140,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Senators, there being no other Senators wishing to contribute, I call upon the Mover to reply. Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, proceed."
},
{
"id": 1556483,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556483/?format=api",
"text_counter": 141,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Mr. Temporary Speaker, I was not the Mover, but as the Senate Majority Leader, one must always be prepared in season and out of season, as the Bible reminds us. Therefore, I will reply on behalf of Sen. Wamatinga who moved the Motion on the Report of the 14th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly and the related meetings of the Forum of Parliaments for the International Conference of the Great Lakes region. This is a very important report and it is crucial that such reports are adopted and debated. As Sen. Ledama has rightly pointed out, it is important for colleagues to internalize these reports in order to better understand Africa. Africa is a very complex equation. Unfortunately, due to challenges such as limited ease of travel and regional conflicts, many Africans, including Sen. Ledama, are more familiar with the corners of certain metropolises around the globe than they are with Africa itself."
},
{
"id": 1556484,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556484/?format=api",
"text_counter": 142,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "On a point of information, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
},
{
"id": 1556485,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556485/?format=api",
"text_counter": 143,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": " I am no exception to that, Sen. Ledama, so you do not need to protest. If today---"
},
{
"id": 1556486,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556486/?format=api",
"text_counter": 144,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Sen. Cheruiyot, would you like to be informed by Sen. Olekina?"
},
{
"id": 1556487,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556487/?format=api",
"text_counter": 145,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": " I do not mind being informed and I will challenge him further. Therefore, you better be careful as you inform me."
},
{
"id": 1556488,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556488/?format=api",
"text_counter": 146,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, let me inform the Senate Majority Leader that I am among the few people who have driven across Africa. I drove from South Africa all the way to Nairobi, passing through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and, finally Kenya. Secondly, I have also driven across South Africa as well. I enjoy traveling and have walked across the United States of America (USA). One day, I plan to walk across Africa."
},
{
"id": 1556489,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556489/?format=api",
"text_counter": 147,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sen. Ledama has indeed helped to affirm my point that he knows America better than his own Africa. He only mentioned four countries out of 54, which makes my case stronger. Forget about the countries, this man, and I say this as someone who knows him well because he is my friend, can describe street by street in some of the larger cities in America if you are with him there. However, outside Nairobi, I doubt there is any other African country where he knows the name of a street, including neighborhoods in Dar es Salaam. Perhaps Kigali, but for other reasons. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on a more serious note, there is something else that Sen. Ledama needs to check. He mentioned something that caught my attention about Captain Ibrahim Traoré. I used to fall for his hype, much like many people who are captivated by trends on TikTok. I remember seeing a journalist talk about how he was The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1556490,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556490/?format=api",
"text_counter": 148,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": "cheered during the inauguration of Ghana’s new president. I felt excited just like many people, until after doing further research into the situation in Burkina Faso. I challenge Sen. Ledama to do the same, perhaps to countercheck the things he reads online against the reality on the ground as Kenyans often say. I was shocked to learn the hype and the narratives circulating about what is being done. First, I am not a fan of coups. I firmly believe in democracy and strongly hold that Africa would progress far better with fewer coups and more transitions through the ballot rather than by the power of the bullet. For that reason, I am not a big fan of that gentleman. More importantly, the reason why the military led by him took over Burkina Faso, was their claim that the country faced significant security challenges. They argued that terrorists were ravaging the nation, killing people and causing all the challenges. Sen. Ledama, you need to verify this because, from my research, it appears that since they took power, the situation has not improved. As we know, wars are incredibly costly. Just look at what is happening to the gentleman in Ukraine, how he is being embarrassed and the criticisms he faces. Wars are extremely expensive. If you do not have a sustainable way to fund them, it is better not to start them. The unfortunate situation in that country highlights the need for us to better understand our continent. While they are not part of the Great Lakes region, this example underscores the challenges we face across Africa. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power by the bullet, the country has reportedly lost 40 per cent more territory to the terrorists who were already ravaging the population. It is easy to come across information online, on platforms like TikTok, where people claim certain things are happening. However, it is crucial to conduct further research. This is the unfortunate reality with Africa. That is part of what this report highlights. That parliamentarians in African nations often have limited knowledge about their continent. Additionally, as Sen. Ledama rightly pointed out, the challenges of travel within this continent remain a significant issue. You may recall that in 2023, President William Ruto flagged off the first consignment of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) arrangement just outside here, next to Parliament at KICC. These goods were intended for sale in other African countries. However, it took three months for the goods to travel from Nairobi to Accra, Ghana, due to significant challenges such as logistical issues, conflicts at border points, poor road networks and inadequate infrastructure. These are some of the serious challenges that this continent continues to face. Unless we, as leaders serving in parliament, recognize that almost all governments and institutions on the continent have their budgets drawn in their parliaments, we will miss the opportunity to make conscious decisions that enhance our countries' competitiveness. We must think beyond simply passing the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) and claiming we have fulfilled our duty as the Senate of the Republic of Kenya. It is essential to consider how we can open up markets for farmers. That is why we must appreciate President Trump's tariffs as a wake-up call for us to take action. We do not need to struggle to access markets if we focus on enabling trade The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1556491,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1556491/?format=api",
"text_counter": 149,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": null,
"content": "among Africans. Half of the goods we export often return to the continent at a significantly higher cost. For instance, Lipton tea, which leaves Kericho at US$2, arrives back in Accra processed at facilities in France or the Netherlands, priced at US$4 or even US$6. This happens within the same continent, but through intermediaries based in other continents that are better organized. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, until we begin to follow through on the recommendations of such reports, we continue to make a mockery of the citizens we lead and the time spent in these conferences. These discussions often revolve around the challenges we face and the steps we must take to improve our continent. Yet, the solutions lie within ourselves. If Africa were to trade more among itself, we would gain greater respect. We would eliminate the need to borrow the kind of money we currently borrow to run our economies. This is money that we are losing out. Africa is a continent of the future. I want to appreciate the legislators who met last weekend. Unfortunately, I could not participate due to prior arrangements. I do not know why Sen. Ledama informed me just hours before the event. Nevertheless, I will not miss the next one. I kindly plead to be invited in advance as these discussions are crucial for the future. Our role in them, particularly on significant matters such as climate change, which is addressed in this document, is critical. It is only when we begin to engage in meaningful conversations among ourselves, at least at the leadership level, that we can address some very basic questions. Why are we unable to ratify even the simplest of proposals within the East African Community? Why does it still cost me nearly Kshs100 to call a fellow East African in Tanzania, yet the telecommunications companies owning these networks are shareholders in each other? For instance, Vodacom on one side owns 40 per cent of Safaricom on this side. Why are we making it so difficult for people to communicating? The least you can do is checking in on a friend? It is really unfortunate that after these conferences, perhaps, this Parliament is a well-well of resources and well thought-out reports such as this that have accumulated from 1963 with very good ideas. In fact, we do not need to travel anymore. We just need to go the Parliament Library, which unfortunately 90 per cent of legislators in this House do not even know where it is. We should go there and check reports that have been brought to this House from such conferences for years gone by since the First to the Thirteenth Parliament that we are sitting in today."
}
]
}