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{
    "id": 1300351,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1300351/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 449,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "preparation of a Report for submission to the Leadership of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio Coalition and thereafter, to Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, the Houses of Parliament resolve to extend the mandate of the National Dialogue Committee by a further 30 days from 28th October, 2023 and consequently, the Committee shall be required to report to the Leadership of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio Coalitions, on or before 26th November, 2023 and after that submit its report to Parliament. Madam Temporary Speaker, this is a fairly straightforward Motion. The mandate of this Committee lapses on the 28th October, 2023, which is next week. As you know, this House proceeds on a short recess. So, we are bringing this Motion as a precaution so that the mandate of this Committee does not lapse when we are on recess. As you may be aware, yesterday, the National Assembly passed a similar Motion and extended the mandate of the Committee on National Dialogue to 23rd November, 2023. So, we are trying to synchronize the mandate of the two committees so that the extension of time is on the same date. We have made quite some progress ever since we got the approval of this House. We took submissions from more than 704 stakeholders and we received more than 60 presentations from stakeholders who appeared from various groups including constitutional commissions. This process has attracted a lot of interest from Kenyans. Even the judiciary appeared before us and made submissions. I thank Senators who took interest to make presentations before us. I thank Sen. Wambua who wrote a memorandum and appeared before us. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda who appeared and made a very lengthy submission on the issue of checks and balances more so how to balance power; exercise of legislative power between the National Assembly and the Senate. All those are still matters that are under consideration. I thank the Senator for Narok County who also made a presentation on how to harmonize the roles of these two Houses. Madam Temporary Speaker, this process is very key and is relevant to us as a Senate. We have already tackled a number of issues and almost agreed on issues of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), entrenching the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, fidelity to political parties and multipartism, having a leader of opposition in the House and the three funds; National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Affirmative Action Fund and Senate Oversight Fund. There are a number of very important issues that are still pending before the committee including issues of cost of living, checks and balances which touch on the relationship between the Senate and the National Assembly, general issues about governance and outstanding constitutional issues. In view of that, it is the wish of the committee that we get more time so that we can deliberate this matter. I must thank the delegation from Kenya Kwanza who have spearheaded this process in good faith, a lot of sensitivity and without any trace of vindictiveness. That is how leadership should be. We should never fear amending our Constitution. Do you know that many countries in Africa have very progressive democracies? South Africa"
}