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{
    "id": 1426317,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426317/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 19,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Senators, as you may recall, at the sitting of the Senate held on Tuesday, 30th April, 2024, I reported a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Laban Omusundi regarding restricting county governments from hiring external law firms for legal representation in court cases. Pursuant to Standing Order No.238 (1), I committed the Petition to the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for consideration. Subsequent to my committal of the Petition to the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, vide letter Ref. JLHARC/SSN/2024(8), dated 21st May, 2024, I received a request from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights for the said committee to consider the Petition alongside the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. The Chairperson argued that management and operations of legal professionals is a matter that falls under the purview of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. Hon. Senators, from the foregoing, I reviewed the prayers contained in the Petition and established that indeed the prayers relate to governance and management of county governments in relation to the establishment of the Office of the County Attorney as envisaged under Section 4 of the Office of the County Attorney Act, and the resources used to engage external counsels. This is a matter under the purview of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. On the other hand, the prayers also relate to the operations and management of the legal profession in the country, in particular, the cardinal principle for a client to access legal representation of their choice. This matter broadly falls under the organisation and administration of law and justice, which pursuant to the Fourth Schedule of the Standing Orders, is a responsibility of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. Hon. Senators, having considered the matter as indicated above, I hereby direct that the Petition submitted to the Senate by Mr. Laban Omusundi be considered jointly by the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations and the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. For the avoidance of doubt, this communication does not affect the timelines provided for, pursuant to Standing Order No.238 (2). The committees will, therefore, be required to table a report on the Petition on or before 29th June, 2024. 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."
}