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{
    "id": 584339,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/584339/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 347,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Let me start by making a comment about something that Sen. G.G Kariuki said. I think it is important and I wish this Bill does get to the President for assent because this is one of the avenues that is going to be clear for us to do what Sen. Hassan Omar talked about; creating oversight for the public. They are the most critical. We have experienced it in the Senate where we have had many petitions coming in. As the Senate, we have had opportunity to discuss those petitions. What I like about these petitions - I have been happy to sit in some of the Committees, is that there is a lot of investigation that goes on. It creates an opportunity for people to be called, be they Members of County Assemblies, governors, County Executive Committees Members (CEC) or the Clerks of county assemblies, and asked questions. When they come and give this information, it means they are really opening and giving a lot of light about some of the questions that may be the petitioner has asked about. As they do that, because Committees are open and I believe also Committees at the county assemblies are open and that we should encourage more people to come to those Committees to listen, then it gives more information to the public. Even though under the Constitution, every citizen has a right to access information, the procedure and the process for doing this is not clear. Remember, we are coming from a state of repression where people did not ask questions and felt they cannot question the Government, where people felt they wait and whatever services they are given, they are lucky to have those services. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 has opened up the space for Kenyans. If Kenyans do not take this space now, we will never get another chance because the power of the people is insurmountable. It is a power that nobody is able to replace. All citizens should seek answers for issues that those answers are not given. They should come out of the market place, go to the governor’s office, County Assembly, galleries, listen and ask questions and even demand that all these things that are in the strategic plans eventually be implemented, and ensure that the projects that were promised within the specific counties have been adhered to and that those specific projects have been actualized. They can ask about the costs or the contactors. For devolution to work, Article 10, and especially the principles of Article 10, specifically public participation cannot be ignored. That is why I support the view that people should now have that civic education. 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."
}