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{
    "id": 1228687,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1228687/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 176,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abbas",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, sir, it provides that the boundaries of a county can only be altered through a resolution of an independent Commission set up for this purpose by Parliament. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee is currently considering the County Boundaries Bill, 2023 (Senate Bills No.6 of 2023). It seeks to provide for a mechanism for the resolution of county boundary disputes, as well as give effect to Article 188 of the Constitution by providing for the procedure of alteration of county boundaries. Once the Bill is enacted, the necessary Commission shall be put in place to resolve all county border disputes. The Committee believes this shall be the most appropriate solution to all county border disputes. Mr. Speaker, Sir, all the other three statements before the Committee have been processed and invitation for responses from the relevant offices have been sent. The Committee is set to expeditiously deal with them as soon as they are received to ensure they are dispensed with. Concerning Bills, one Bill is before the Committee. This is the County Boundaries Bill, 2023 (Senate Bills No.6 of 2023). The Bill seeks to provide for a mechanism for the resolution of county boundary disputes, as well as give effect to Article 188 of the Constitution by providing for the procedure of alteration of county boundaries. The Committee is presently carrying out public participation on the Bill and once all the views have been taken into account, it shall prepare and table its report before this House before 21st April, 2023. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding county visits, the Committee has visited Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties. The Committee visited Tharaka Nithi County from 21st to 22nd January, 2023 to ascertain the status of the delayed operationalization of Kathwana Town as the County headquarters. A report of the findings and recommendations by the Committee shall be tabled in the House. I also would like to take this opportunity to inform the House that the Committee had been concerned with the issues that took place in Meru County Government, since this is a critical matter that affects the governance and management of county governments. In the interest of protecting devolution, the Committee had considered playing a mediatory role in the wrangles between the Meru County Executive and the Assembly. Unfortunately, the process of impeachment of the County Governor through a Petition by the County Assembly had commenced before the Committee could intervene. However, I wish to report that between 21st to 22nd January, 2023 the Committee visited Meru County and held successful engagements with the governor and also the MCAs. This was as a follow up on how the county is moving on in the aftermath of the impeachment trial of the governor. In this regard, I wish to assure this House of the commitment of the Committee in enhancing and strengthening good inter-governmental and intra-governmental relations, in all the counties which it regards as the cornerstone for the success of devolution."
}