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{
    "id": 1227566,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227566/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 274,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Sen. Martha Wangari, now Member of Parliament (MP) for Gilgil Constituency, began her career in this House as a nominated Senator. She has moved on to serve her second term as MP for Gilgil Constituency. She introduced and navigated amendment to the Employment Act providing for the provision of pre-adoptive leave for parents seeking to adopt a child. The Bill was assented to and is now part of our employment law. The same way when you are expecting the birth of a child, many people take leave. She introduced a very interesting proposal, which Senators and the National Assembly agreed to. It was on what she called pre-adoptive leave; people going on leave as they prepare to adopt a child. Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. remained steadfast in his quest for the protection of devolution. He introduced legislation on the county boundaries to resolve long outstanding and delicate boundary disputes between various counties. Unfortunately, the County Boundaries Bill has never been concluded. It is presently before the House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I hope that the Senate will take time to have a rigorous debate about that particular Bill this term. This is especially in light of the fact that we know that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), once properly constituted, has to do delineation of boundaries this year. It is the Senate that can guide dispute resolution between various counties. This is a challenge that exists. In fact, I struggle to imagine that there are very few counties that do not have boundary disputes with their neighbouring counties. It is something that Senate can guide on how to conclude on this process. Sen. (Dr.) Zani was instrumental in introducing legislation for the protection and enhancement of devolution. This includes the very famous national resources Bill, which has been introduced in this term of Parliament by Sen. Mungatana, MGH. I hope he works and concludes that Bill as soon as now. That Bill is extremely important to all of us. Each county has a resource that they share or that they give to the country yet on many occasions, counties do not benefit. Lastly, is to remember that across this journey, we have lost many of our colleagues. We wish to just mention them because those were extremely sad times for us as the Senate. First was Sen. Mutula Kilonzo, Sen. Gerald Otieno-Kajwang’ and Sen. GG Kariuki of Laikipia County in the 11th Parliament. In the 12th Parliament, the last Senate, unfortunately, we lost Sen. Ben. Okello of Migori County. After that loss, Sen. Oketch Gicheru tried to replace him, but was unsuccessful in that quest. Thank God this time he succeeded. We also lost Sen. Haji of Garissa County, who was replaced by his son, Sen. Abdul Haji. Others include Sen. Kabaka of Machakos County, Sen. Prengei and Sen. Machage of Migori County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it would be amiss of me if I conclude the speech without celebrating the Secretariat. I have celebrated every other Senator that has made contribution. I could not mention many who are still serving in this House. I am sure the right time to celebrate them will come. I celebrate equally the staff of the Senate led by the very able Clerk, Jeremiah Makokha Nyegenye, who for three terms now, has served as the Clerk of the Senate, leading the first team that put together the Senate institution."
}