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{
"id": 1294448,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1294448/?format=api",
"text_counter": 252,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
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"content": "When we were in Turkana, for example, I saw the proposals that came from Members. However, Sen. Sifuna, you will appreciate the position that we find ourselves in as a Senate. If it was up to us alone, we would go the route that you are proposing. However, this is a bicameral system of Parliament. We have our colleagues on the other side whom each time we propose things that are provided for in the Constitution, sometimes find difficulty with. We end up stagnating very important legislative business, haggling and arguing over certain matters. Sen. Sifuna, I have served in boards. We must equally begin to demand, from the Council of Governors (COGs), the quality of the people that they send to represent us in these boards. It is important to have many. This is not to make light of your point. However, sometimes when you do not have that opportunity, you would rather send somebody whose mind, from start to finish, will be to ensure that the interests of devolution are protected in this particular Bill. However, look at how CoG sometimes nominate some of these people. I have seen boards make certain decisions and wonder about the person we gave the opportunity. We have passed many Bills in this House over the years and said that CoG shall send a representative. However, in the operations of those bodies, we do not see the change and sense in which they appreciate the tenets and the dictates of devolution. So, I appreciate colleagues who have taken their time. This is the third legislation. Shortly, upon the conclusion of this, I will equally be moving on to the fourth Bill. This will, therefore, culminate the exercise that we began a few weeks ago of trying to give life to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). A call that we have had. I mentioned when we were in Turkana that since the third President of this Republic, we have been trying to ensure that all Kenyans enjoy good and quality healthcare. I remember when we were doing this present Constitution, those that were in the ‘No’ Camp told us there is a portion of it they do not agree with therefore we should bury the entire document. Those that had been in the struggle for many years trying to get Kenya a new Constitution told us ‘we can live it, do not worry. Once we get the many good fruits of this Constitution, the rest will find ways.’ Today, we bear testimony sitted as a House. Devolution is a creation of this new Constitution and many other good things that you can enlist. Therefore, in the process of law-making, I convince my colleagues that there is no given time that you will have a Bill that will come to this House and we agree on everything 100 per cent. People have different perspectives on things. However, if the spirit, the letter, intent and content makes the lives of the people that you represent better, then give it your stamp of approval and satisfaction. With those many remarks, I appreciate and thank all our colleagues that have taken time and hope that we can progress to this Bill. Under Standing Order No. 66 (3), I beg to request that the putting of the question on this be deferred until later on today. There is a Bill which is in the Order Paper that"
}