Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1028768,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1028768/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 48,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wetangula",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 210,
        "legal_name": "Moses Masika Wetangula",
        "slug": "moses-wetangula"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Right from the first Senate, this House and particularly the Senators who are in this House in the last Senate persistently and consistently reminded the National Assembly that Article 110(3) was not an option to observe. I salute my distinguished learned colleagues who spared their time to go to court and fight pro bono . I want to assure the House that should there be an appeal preferred by the National Assembly, yours truly here will join the team equally pro bono. This ruling tells Kenyans that the Constitution is a living document. That the Constitution is the last line of defense for weak individuals and perceived weak institutions. It always restores their position, hope and trust. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we had reached a level where this House was being treated like a subordinate to the National Assembly. Many times, Bills were passed without the Senate’s concurrence. I remember this House adjourning to discuss those issues, particularly Miscellaneous Amendment Bills and the Omnibus Bills. This is where they would lump in issues on agriculture, health, water and everything concerning counties and pass the Bills and take them to the President for assent. We did say here many times and I want to urge that going forward we must develop a template that whenever a Bill is taken to the President for assent, he must see a concurrence certificate from both Speakers of both Houses. There must be a concurrence certificate signed by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the National Assembly. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the President acting in good faith has now got a rotten egg on his face. He has been put in a very embarrassing situation because of people failing to advise him. We did tell the Attorney General. We called him to several meetings and told him whenever a Bill is taken to the President for assent, remind the state that this Bill had a concurrence and observance of Article 110(3). It never happened. Now that we are where we are, I want to urge caution. That the way forward should never be, for you as our Speaker, to be called to sign a retrospective concurrence The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}