Hansard Summary
President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed a special sitting of Parliament, highlighting concerns over a notice to appear at a status conference in The Hague and emphasizing Kenya's sovereignty, democratic achievements, and the need for collective resolve. The debate was largely procedural and constructive, concluding with the adjournment of both the Senate and the National Assembly.Sentimental Analysis
NeutralTHE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA
THE SENATE
THE HANSARD
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES JOINT SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE
Monday, 6th October, 2014
ARRIVAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR
CONVENING OF SPECIAL SITTING OF PARLIAMENT FOR ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
Your Excellency, the Hon. Uhuru Kenyattta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the hon. Speaker of the Senate, Senator Ekwe Ethuro, hon.
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON THE MATTER OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY
Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Senate, hon. Members of both Houses of Parliament, fellow Kenyans, Article 132 of the Constitution provides for the President of the Republic of Kenya to address a special sitting of Parliament at any one time. The first Article of our Constitution provides, and I quote:-
“All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya”. In this respect, I am here to address you as representatives of the people on an important national matter regarding our sovereignty. Last week as I touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on my return from the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I received notice to attend a status conference at The Hague. Since then, the notice and its implied consequences for our sovereignty, have raised confusion and anxiety. These concerns extend to our immediate region and, indeed, other friends of Kenya. My fellow Kenyans, this is not a time for anxiety. It is time for us to be proud of the democracy we have built and the law abiding country we have become. It is also a time to deliberate together as members of the Executive and the Legislature and, indeed, as citizens on how to collectively realise the great destiny that beckons us.
Nurturing a young democracy in a treacherous world of despotism, terrorism and extremism was never going to be an easy task, neither was the building of a strong and diverse economy that could realise the dreams of more than 40 million Kenyans and
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
October 6, 2014
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
ADJOURNMENT
Hon. Senators, it is now time to adjourn the business of the Special Sitting. All of us should be upstanding. I will take my turn and my brother will take his turn.
The Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 21st October, 2014, at 2.30 p.m.
Hon. Members of the National Assembly, the Assembly stands adjourned to Tuesday, 14th October, 2014, at
DEPARTURE OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT
Hon. Members, it is now time for His Excellency the President to take his leave.
Parliament rose at 4.20 p.m.