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"id": 1402631,
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
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"legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
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"content": "exercise our power of impeachment, that power must be seen to have been exercised fairly and effectively. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, even as we seek to enhance the threshold of removal of CECMs, it is also important for them to perform their roles effectively. Some CECMs in most counties are not diligent in their work because they have not delivered in their various portfolios. We cannot continue sustaining such people and make it difficult for MCAs to remove them. Some of them may be close to the governor and, therefore, removing them becomes a problem. We need to look at both ends. We should enhance the threshold, but at the same time, how do we make them accountable to MCAs? Our role here is secondary oversight. We also need to help MCAs to perform their role of primary oversight effectively. One way is by making CECMs accountable to county assemblies. I look at it from both perspectives. Perhaps the Mover of this Bill needs to look at that fact. On one hand, we are making it difficult for MCAs to remove a CECM, but on the other hand, we could be encouraging impunity in our counties. It could become difficult to remove incompetent CECMs or those who just refuse to do their jobs for one good reason that they are friends of the governor. I think we need a balance. I support this Bill, but on the other hand, I also encourage that we look at ways of enhancing primary oversight for MCAs. One way is to make sure that CECMs are also accountable. In my county, for example, most of them are invited to appear before MCAs, but they ignore the summons. The MCAs cannot do much because these people are friends and relatives of the governor. A lot needs to be looked at from that perspective, so that we do not just cripple MCAs, but also make them effective while at the same time ensure that we maintain fairness to CECMs. At some point, we had said that we need to fast-track the impeachment law. However, every time we finish an impeachment process, we somehow forget about it. Even as we discuss this, I encourage that we look at that law, so that we have a proper law that guides the process of impeachment. The Senate Majority Leader has said that we are making many amendments to the County Governments Act. I also think the same applies to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. Perhaps it is time we had a holistic view of some of these laws that are attracting many amendments such as the Powers and Privileges Act, the PFM Act, the County Governments Act and--- I have forgotten the other one. I will mention it if I remember. We should have a holistic approach of these laws in order to reduce the many amendments, which are making the whole thing untidy. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, now that the Senate Majority Leader has talked about the building, whereas I agree with what Members have said, it is also important to question why that project has taken long and exceeded the budget. These things should not be swept under the carpet. I was a bit perturbed when I heard the Speaker of the National Assembly cautioning Members that we should not discuss this matter. Parliament is a House of free speech. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we cannot be intimidated not to talk about our welfare here. We cannot be intimidated! We have to talk about it. Someone was saying 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."
}