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{
    "id": 725096,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/725096/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 358,
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    "content": "authorities. Some believed that the Bill and the Senate would scrap their existence. There were very rich deliberations and the issue of classification of roads and especially the trunk and county roads was also very sensitive. This Bill, as the Majority Leader illustrates, gives us a clear-cut definition and classification to avoid a lot of internal wrangles and suspicions. This Bill also tends to correct the issue that now we have a bi-cameral government system. County governments came in to place and we have to harmonize the law and recognize the role of the county governments. The Council of Governors had a special interest in this Bill. They participated and cooperated every time. In fact as the Committee on Roads, we ended up performing the role as arbiters and allowing the stakeholders. At first, it was very heated. We gave them an opportunity to iron out their issues and differences. They came up with resolutions which by the end of the day were relatively agreeable to all. If there are only one or two issues which one side was not happy with, it will be ironed out and when we table our report it will be discussed before the Committee Stage and bring everyone on board. Mr. Temporary Speaker, our brothers and sisters from the National Assembly also had a special interest in this Bill because they were given a classification of some roads which they will be in charge of. We have no problem because what we are really protecting is the county government and we do not want anyone to interfere with their space. If it is the role of the national Government, so be it. Even though this B ill is coming a bit late, it is better late than never. These are things that we should have started from the word go. However, there were a lot of consultations and as usual when many stakeholders are interested, it takes a lot of time. I do not know why they started with the National Assembly. However, Kenya has a bi- cameral system, and it is okay; we still have a role to take care of counties. There was also other contentious issue and that it is funding. Everyone wanted to be given adequate funding and nobody wants to be incapacitated in any way so that they can exercise their responsibilities. By the end of the day, we had built consensus and any issue which remains can be dealt with. There were proposals of how to deal with any disputes between the county governments. Kenya is really growing. There are some roads which are international, connecting one country to another. They are not only passing through the national highways and some are passing through county governments’ roads. That classification may be in dispute on who is in charge. However, as we continue to collaborate with all stakeholders and exercise our role of oversight over counties, we will ensure harmonization of laws and the road network is clear. With those few remarks, I beg to second."
}