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{
    "id": 1425375,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1425375/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 312,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tobiko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir and Sen. Wambua, for being very gracious. I rise to oppose this Bill and support the position of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the position that many Members have already taken. Initially, I was a bit reluctant to take a position on this Bill, simply because I have had a chance to be a Member of both Houses. I have a lot of respect for the National Assembly and a touch of premium value to the Senate. So, when it comes to a tug of war between the two Houses of Parliament, it puts me in a very awkward position. That said, this Bill, as has been said, was done in bad faith and so we should reject it in totality. It is sad when both Houses are clamouring for which House is supreme, should take precedence, and will do this or will not. This is because Kenyans expect better of us. They expect us to operate with a lot of maturity and decorum, show leadership, obey the rule of law and the Constitution to the letter. If we were to go according to the Constitution, then the roles of both Houses are well defined, and there will be no squabble. However, we have allowed ourselves, as the Senate, to be dragged into these squabbles, instead of us taking our prime time to discuss what matters most to the population of this country. Kenyans want legislators to make a difference by passing laws that will help them ease their lives. They are expecting us to be discussing the issues that affect them at the counties. At the moment, you know the havoc the rains have done on our roads. Kenyans expect us to be giving a solution to the infrastructural challenges in this country; the water issues, the health sector issues, where our doctors have been demonstrating throughout. It is sad that now we get into a sibling rivalry with the National Assembly, instead of us taking time to address what Kenyans expect of us. The laws should guide both"
}