Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1399218,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1399218/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 208,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orwoba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I support the County Boundaries Bill by Sen. M. Kajwang’. I hope that this is the House that is going to pass this Bill. This is because the issue of conflicts between different counties has been there year in, year out. There have been proposals and Bills in the past trying to legislate around the conflicts that are in these various counties. Currently, we have over 18 counties that are in dispute. You have heard our Senator for Turkana speaking about the Kapedo area, which has been a dispute between Turkana and Baringo. I am glad to see Sen. Wambua here because he has raised a couple of statements with regard to boundary issues of his neighbouring counties. It is not only about these current 18 counties, there are certain communities that have not been brought to the forefront where the situation is upraising. I come from Kisii County and we saw what happened in Keroka Market, where we had both Kisii and Nyamira counties claiming a huge part of that market. It took a lot of intervention, including going to court. Lives were lost and property destroyed. There is a conversation that is not being had on why the conflict is first of all there. If you look at the issues around the various disputes, not only from Kisii and Nyamira or Turkana and Baringo, but as far as Kisumu, Siaya and Vihiga who were fighting over Maseno, it is not only about resources or the people who are living there, but also about revenue collection. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have heard our Senator for Turkana saying that even the police should be involved because they understand and they have been there in the past, by ensuring that there is peace in the various counties. However, perhaps the Council of Governors (CoG) should have a conversation. This is because the issue of revenue collection propels most of the issues arising. As can be seen in the Nyamira and Kisii counties dispute, it was over a market and it was mostly on the revenue collection. As I support this Bill, the implementation is what we should be looking at even in terms of who will be the players. I have heard the other Senators saying that we need more than six months, but I believe that if all the stakeholders are brought to the table, like the CoG – the players of devolution - you do not need more than six months. If you have all the stakeholders in place, these disputes can be resolved even within the proposed three months. The issue is how to ensure that all the stakeholders are brought to the table. It should not be only the religious leaders, administrators and the governors, but we are talking about the people with historical knowledge of certain geographical positions. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is because some of the disputes are so complicated. They are not just about markets, but also about people who value certain 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 and AudioServices, Senate."
}