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{
    "id": 584310,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/584310/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 318,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Hassan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 431,
        "legal_name": "Hassan Omar Hassan Sarai",
        "slug": "hassan-omar-hassan-sarai"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for this opportunity. I rise with similar hesitations as Sen. G.G. Kariuki in terms of the authority of the Senate but still with a lot of hope that the Senate can still put its act together as the principal guardian of devolution. At this point in time, surrender is not an option. As the Senate, we are duty bound to continue to propose all measures necessary towards the fulfilment of our mandate. This means that, as time progresses, we need to be extremely more creative in terms of circumventing the obstacles that are erected in our quest to defend devolution. This Bill is about oversight. It forces the participation of the people. It is a Bill in furtherance of Article 37 of the Constitution where this Senate has an obligation to ensure that we advance our constitutional order and practice through the legislative process. It accords the right to petition alongside other rights; including the right to picket, assemble and many other rights that are within the domain of the rights of the citizenry. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Bill can also be read simultaneously with Article 185 of the Constitution which articulates the legislative authority of county assemblies and in particular Article 185(1) states:- “The legislative authority of a county is vested in and exercised by its county assembly” More importantly, Article 185(3), states:- “A county assembly, while respecting the principle of the separation of powers, may exercise oversight over the county executive committee and any other county executive organs.” This Bill and procedure to present petitions is in fulfilment of that constitutional obligation and mandate of the county assembly which makes it easy for members of the public who may not of essence be able to sit in county assemblies much in the same way The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}