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{
    "id": 1008480,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1008480/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 36,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also rise to congratulate Gov. Sang for always considering the Senate as an arbiter when issues get tough. The issues of landsides would be a problem in Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot, but issues of natural disasters and the process through which they can be declared a national emergency or disaster, are issues that we need to address. For example, in Homa Bay, the rising levels of the lake and perennial flooding are as serious and severe as landslides in Nandi and West Pokot. During this period of COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the relationship between federal and state governments in other countries, with structures almost similar to ours, like the United States of America. It is high time for the Senate, through various legislations, to come up with a process through which the national Government and county governments can sit together and declare national disasters. I am not sure whether the Bill by Sen. Sakaja and Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. addressed this. Mr. Speaker, Sir, response to disasters should not be limited to donations of beans, maize and cooking oil. That is what the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs has perfected. This is one of the issues that we, in the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, are committed to looking into. Finally, Governor Sang’ is a man with a very good understanding of the law and our Standing Orders. It is unfortunate that he has brought this as a Petition. This is because the Petition will be subjected to 60 days. After that, we shall respond to the petitioner. I want to encourage governors to take advantage of our Standing Orders. Standing Order No.44 allows any governor to submit a Message to the Senate. If Governor Sang would have used Standing Order No.44, I believe in your wisdom, you would have committed this to the relevant Committee and be addressed as a substantive agenda of this House. It is not too late and I want to encourage the Senator for Nandi to find ways of bringing this back as a Message from Nandi County, so that we are not restricted to 60 days to discuss such an important issue that does not only apply to Nandi, but to all counties. I support."
}