Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1373466,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1373466/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 288,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Wajir South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mohammed Adow",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "There are always constant attempts to push Members of Parliament beyond the three main roles of legislation, oversight and representation. Almost everything that happens in our constituencies is usually pushed to our plates. One thing many other people and I here have done is to send elders to deal with some of these burning issues and they have done it with utmost diligence every time. That is their importance to our societies. They play a very crucial role. Remunerating them will acknowledge the time and effort they make in serving their communities. Remunerating them can help attract and retain people who are qualified for these roles. Many times, because of the abject poverty in many parts of this country, people who are very good at mediation and have a high standing in society avoid these roles because they have to put bread and butter on the table for their children. If they are remunerated, we will attract people who can do a much better job. That will improve governance at the local level and ensure that cultural and social cohesion is at its utmost in rural Kenya. Besides, remunerating elders is also an act of poverty eradication because most of these people depend on subsistence farming. Sometimes, they do not have any jobs or sources of income. We have a proverb in the Somali community that says nothing goes wrong where there are elders. I believe it is time we, as the people and Government of Kenya, paid our elders and gave them the respect they so much deserve. Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}