Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1062006,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1062006/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 518,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Madam Deputy Speaker, I was a bit worried by the ruling of the Speaker in the morning that even before anyone approaches the Speaker to seek to have either virtual or physical meeting of the committees, that request had already been denied pronto. I am happy that these amendments have been brought and I thank Sen. (Dr.) Ochillo-Ayacko for bringing that amendment. Our first encounter with this pandemic sometimes last year, when we sort of lowered our guard as the Senate, we all know what happened. Within a few months, this country had evolved several billionaires benefiting from monies that had been directed to the containment of this pandemic. It would have been a dereliction of duty if, as the Senate, we stopped meetings of committees and plenary at a time that we are talking of sourcing for more funds to go towards the containment of this pandemic. I am happy that committees will continue to meet. I want to urge the committees, especially committees that will be dealing with the containment of this pandemic, that we must be told in very clear terms, how much money is being directed into the fight against COVID-19 and the source of that money especially in the counties. Counties have been receiving funds to fight COVID-19. There are some counties that I am told are directing this money towards funny use. The other day I was reading that my own county, Kitui County, is using the funds to produce tomato paste. I am wondering what does tomato paste have to do with the containment of the spread of the pandemic? Counties must be held to account. If the Senate committees were to go on recess or stop meetings, it would be very difficult for us to hold the governors to account. Both the National Executive and the county executive must be held to account by committees of this Senate on how they spent money meant for the containment of the spread of COVID-19. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker."
}