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{
"id": 1174810,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1174810/?format=api",
"text_counter": 145,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Poghisio",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 202,
"legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
"slug": "samuel-poghisio"
},
"content": "All that time we have been working, the Senate has stood tall. The Senate will be remembered for a number of decisions that were made. One of the decisions was when the Senate stood firm to challenge matters that were taken to court and sought the courts’ opinion. At the same time, you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and the Speaker before have walked to court to ensure that the integrity of this House is maintained for years to come. As I said in the morning, there is an existential threat to this House. Unless we guard against that threat, there are people who are hell-bent on lowering the Senate in order to ensure that it does not get the recognition. However, the Senate has a special role. Under our Constitution, the Senate has to be there for devolution to exist, flourish and grow. Those who think they can diminish the light of the Senate, I want to tell them that the Constitution protects this Senate and its membership. Whoever comes back here should continue to defend the rights and privileges of the Senate. I thank all the colleagues of mine from both sides of the aisle. There are those we have interacted with and those who have given us problems. I do not want to name them because they know themselves. Some of them come from as far as Mwingi. As I conclude, because I know everybody would like to have a chance to give their goodbyes as we go on recess sine die, there is something that the Senate Minority Leader said this morning, that the Executive needs to be careful not to contribute to the divisions between the Houses. That is important. For Bills that have been passed and assented to, there was need to have consultation by the Speakers of both Houses, so that it is easy to have concurrence. The two Houses have the fundamentals responsibility of passing and enabling laws, which can make the two level of government answerable to the people of Kenya and better their lives. It is my prayer that in future, the two Houses will focus on this purpose and not engage in sibling rivalry, which will only curtail their performance without adding value to Kenya. Both Houses have their constitutionally given mandates which neither House should try to erode. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Senate, led by the Clerk, the Deputy Clerks, Table Clerks, all the directors and those who made our lives here easy. It was easy to do the work of the Senate because we have staff who supported us. I thank all of them and wish them well in their endeavours. I will give whatever support I can to those who will be vying for different positions. For those who will become governors, please make a difference where you go. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know that you and others here who will become governors will be different. I was a bit disappointed that those who left here in the previous Senate did not show much difference. I hope that when you become governors, those who have been here will respect the Senate and make sure you change governance at places that you will be. For those of us who are trying to retain our seats, I wish you success. When we come back, I hope we will continue from where we would have left. Pray for me too, so that I come back here as the Senator for West Pokot. I also pray that you will be here with me. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sine die recess is a Motion without the reverse gear. Once it is moved, there is no going back. So, I would like to get the Motion rolling. If I have not said anything about you or thanked you, please know that I have thanked you enough."
}