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{
    "id": 1048961,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1048961/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 299,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "The correlation has been made. It was Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki Kithure who said that there is a direct correlation between how effective and how good societies are and outcomes in terms of health, food, nutrition and anything else. The 1997 Act was formulated before the 2010 Constitution. The framers of the Constitution 2010 understood the capacity and the need to grow this at the county level. As much as we have a commissioner at the national level, this amendment Bill seeks to empower the County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) to do certain things. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar talked about the Petition by Moi SACCO Society that was brought to this House. Clearly, even at that point, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) felt she had no say and it was at the county level. There is need especially at times of changes where we have had national governance coordinating bodies for a long time. Now that we have devolution, we need to understand the meaningfulness of that devolution and not being able to just cede, but embrace that incorporation into the lower levels. Primary societies are key. They are the ones that start in a major way at a societal level and they need to grow specifically to the point at which they need to come to. Various Senators have emphasized on the various things and I want to touch on the key elements that this particular amendment wanted to amend so that it is very clear. As I reply, it is important to indicate that the parent Act is in place, done very well and has the structures in place. This amendment Act seeks to ensure that part of the Fourth Schedule that talked about co-operative societies being devolved is done. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sen. Chebeni and Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve said this should have been done like yesterday. I think that is true. Sen. (Dr.) Mwaura said we push this law hopefully in the next 18 months. I like the idea of co-sponsoring. However, I know our Constitution states primarily that a legislation will be introduced through a particular House; either by Senators in the Senate or Members of the National Assembly Members. The same way we have been able to navigate across Article 110(3). On provision for the concurrence of a Bill, I think this is the other area that will help us because we find many of the Bills that come and have been lost. For this amendment, we are strengthening provisions at the county level as far as registration; rights and obligations of co-operatives, property and running of the funds are concerned, as Members have clearly stated. Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve spoke of societies that collapse when people have put their hope in there. Sometimes that is all that somebody has to put in there. For example, look at the ones who have come together and formed coffee, fisheries, livestock, horticulture or housing cooperative societies, they are doing this because they want to better themselves. The last thing is for us not to regulate effectively enough so that whatever they have put in gets lost. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki spoke about the importance of ensuring the regulatory authority is strengthened and a lot of responsibility put on it to ensure they can be held to account. This is the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority whose short name is SASRA. They need to be held to account. 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."
}