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{
    "id": 1167677,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1167677/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 52,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "As one of the principal responsibilities of a legislature, we considered and passed 19 Bills on various issues affecting the country and more specifically, strengthening the devolved system of government. In addition, we have also considered 403 Motions, 103 Petitions and 501 Statements touching on various aspects of everyday lives of Kenyans. Hon. Senators, in executing our oversight and representation role, the Senate undertook various inquiries. Some of the most notable ones include- (1) Protecting Kenyan workers in the Middle East. (2) Assessment and monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Kenya. (3) The condition of correctional facilities in the country. (4) The challenges facing the tea sector that culminated in the enactment of the Tea Act in 2020. (5) The status of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in the counties and the plight of ECDE teachers. (6) Consideration and approval of Nakuru Municipality to a city. (7) The state of mobile network connectivity in underserved parts of the country through the Universal Service Fund (USF) and financing thereof through Phases I and II. (8) The state of debt management in Kenya and the effective use of Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) as a means for accountability. (9) Review of laws on the operations and management of Saving and Credit Co- operative Societies (SACCOs). Further, the reports on various Petitions on matters that directly affect Kenyans continue to strengthen the oversight mandate of the Senate. Members of the public continued to have confidence in the Senate to address their concerns, which is evidenced by the high number of Petitions that were submitted from 2017 to 2022. A total of 144 Petitions were submitted out of which 102 were considered and concluded. This accounted for 70 per cent of the total Petitions submitted. However, the next House will need to re-examine and prioritize consideration of Petitions within the given timelines under the Standing Orders and reduce backlog as this is a cardinal constitutional requirement for Kenyans to exercise their rights. Another oversight tool that has been utilized to address everyday concerns of Kenyans is Statements. During the term of the Twelfth Parliament, there were a total of 231 Statements made pursuant to Standing Order 47(1), of which 67 were referred to respective standing Committees for further consideration. Fifty three of these were concluded and where necessary reports thereon tabled. With respect to Statements under Standing Order 48(1), 576 were sought, out of which 448 were concluded and reported on. This accounted for 78 per cent of the total Statements filed. Hon. Senators, the Senate’s ability to conduct itself in a sober and bipartisan manner was put to the test on many occasions whenever it was called upon to mediate on a number of critical issues. It must be observed that in undertaking our mandate through the impeachment process, the Senate has mediated in conflicts and misunderstandings in the counties. This has ensured that whatever the outcomes of the trial, the ultimate winner was a strengthened devolved structure."
}