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{
    "id": 1371847,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1371847/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 214,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to appear before NADCO. Four responded and appeared. However, the former chairman and the two commissioners wrote a contemptuous letter in response to the summons and said, they will not appear. We were helpless, looking at the important task that was before that Committee, appointed with the approval of the President and with the leader of official opposition. If we have these amendments in place, nobody will ever take this House for granted. Not just this House, even the National Assembly. Nobody will ever take us for granted. If it is of any comfort, these powers that are enjoyed by the Senate of the United States of America (USA) are not in the American Constitution. They are just in their Standing Orders, but they have been tested before the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court has agreed with the importance of Congress having powers to issue subpoena and to punish if you do not appear. Madam Temporary Speaker, I request Sen. Osotsi to wait for my amendment that I will be proposing. That, other than increasing this fine to Kshs2 million, we also have power to punish those who willfully refuse to appear before us. That is the only way we can talk of a House that has powers to oversight the executive and provide checks and balances, and that can protect devolution. In conclusion, I want us to acknowledge the fact that what Article 125 of the Constitution gave us was just a blanket power to summon. How we ensure that Article is meaningful to us and gives Senate the necessary powers, is by enacting the necessary legislation that makes sure that Article 125 of our Constitution has teeth. I support this Bill. I propose that we have a bipartisan approach. We look at the interests of the entire House, and not to be confined to the fact that this is a Bill that has been sponsored by Sen. Osotsi who is from the Minority side. I plead with my colleague Senators, that we give this a bipartisan approach. I assure you, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, that many generations that will come after us, will remember the Third Senate as the one that enhanced the authority and the power of this House. With those remarks, I fully support. Thank you."
}