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{
    "id": 1282453,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1282453/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 77,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "I recall that in each of those presidencies, there were moments when they sat back and reflected with colleagues across the Floor. In fact, back then, it was easy because Presidents were Members of Parliament (MPs). Therefore, they would dialogue easily sometimes, either through Motions such as this one presently, on the Floor of the House. Quite a number including yourself had the opportunity to serve. I urge my colleagues respectfully; let us support this Motion and agree with the proposal to send our colleagues to listen to each other. Give them your blessings and share whatever thoughts. We know you have different opinions on many of these issues. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I report to this House that in last week’s meeting, we framed the issues and reduced the agenda of what our colleagues from the Minority side considered. They are issues worth conversing about together with issues from the Majority side. We have five key thematic areas, which we shall consider tomorrow at the Bomas of Kenya (BOK). Some are of constitutional and legislative nature and others are to do with policy. We shall sit down and agree. Where we are unable to agree for one reason or another, we shall come back and report to this House. Our colleagues will have the opportunity to speak and share their thoughts and ways they feel the issues need to be resolved. I believe we are doing this in the best interest of the country. I know people have varied opinions about these issues. I assure my colleagues in the House because I know that initially when the agenda was listed, there was one particular issue that was quite key to Senators; the entrenchment of various funds into the Constitution. The Senate Oversight Fund did not feature. I have an advance copy of the agenda for which we shall agree on tomorrow. Under that agenda item of entrenching funds into the Constitution, listed as number one is the Senate Oversight Fund, the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, alongside other outstanding constitutional matters. They include issues to do with electoral justice and related matters and the restructuring of the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Mr. Speaker, Sir, we passed a law towards the end of the Second Session. Many people held different views about it. We know that there is an already established elections committee that is continuing with its work. However, nothing stops us. That matter is strongly under the purview of the MPs, which include Senators here. They are allowed to come back to the House and say, “wait a minute, this is the proposal that we gave for the seven Members of the Selection Panel, but perhaps, we hold a different view on how it needs to be done.” Those powers together with many other issues that have been listed rest with this House. Therefore, I have to be fair to my colleagues because I know we gazetted the morning sitting to transact this particular business and we still have other business before us. I do not intend to take longer than that. I wish to avail the opportunity, so that colleague Senators can also have a chance to comment on this matter and we conclude it. I urge all of us in the House – both the Majority and Minority sides – to close ranks and give this team an opportunity to sit down and reflect on issues they consider important to the people of Kenya. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}