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{
    "id": 1061881,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1061881/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 393,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Madam Deputy Speaker, when we sit here as distinguished Senators, we must put everything on the table and say we are happy to adjourn. However, if we are happy to adjourn, how do we ensure that our work continues? Sen. Khaniri spoke of an issue which I believe and I fully support him. The Executive is continuing and doing their work. One of the things that this Parliament must know is that since we started borrowing money as a country, the National Government has received Kshs214 billion to fight COVID-19. However, the money that has gone to the county governments is only Kshs7 billion which is a mere 3.7 per cent. Madam Deputy Speaker, the question we should be asking is: If, indeed, we are going to adjourn, how do we ensure that more counties receive more money to fight this pandemic and deal with this issue of COVID-19? I have stood here before and said that the truth is like a lion. You do not have to defend it. Let it go out there and it will defend itself. Let us be very honest. Why are we adjourning? Madam Deputy Speaker, are we adjourning because we are scared of the effects of COVID-19 or we are sacred that when we are here, someone else will bring another Motion and it will take the day? There are so many debates, which are going on. Let us be candid. The work of our committees is very important. However, let us not lie to Kenyans that we represent them. I am sure many people are afraid to ask about the status of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI); where it is right now. When I stand here, I know that I represent the people who elected me to stand here and speak the truth. Madam Deputy Speaker, I support this Motion entirely but I would wish that at least, we can be honest. I was not happy with the directive of the Speaker. When the Speaker gave a directive, it rendered our powers as distinguished Senators useless. Parliament pronounces itself through resolutions and Motions. This is a Motion that we are discussing. Nothing stops a distinguished Senator from bringing in an amendment to make it wise that when we are adjourning, we can continue performing our work. I wish that we can be candid. Are we afraid that maybe the BBI will pass the way it is or it will be brought here and bulldozed and we will be reduced to voting machines? Madam Deputy Speaker, are we adjourning because we are scared of COVID-19? If we are, indeed, scared of COVID-19, then let us adjourn knowing that we have a fiduciary responsibility as distinguished Senators who serve in different committees. I serve in the Committee on Health. When I am in that Committee, I would like to ensure that I do my job diligently to ensure that the people who are at home can get vaccinated. I am not quite happy when I know that I live in Narok County and together with Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru Counties, we have been zoned. Kajiado County borders Narok County. They have been zoned as red zone areas. I cannot be able to get there. Madam Deputy Speaker, are we doing anything? Have we asked the hard questions? The question we need to ask is this. About Kshs214 billion has been disbursed into this country through loans not grants. The national Government has taken loans worth Kshs214 billion to fight COVID-19."
}