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{
    "id": 1426517,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426517/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Veronica Maina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. First is to commend the mediation team that has done this mediation. One of the things that we can now clearly state to the National Assembly and the Senate is that Bills that require mediation can be mediated in very few days and solutions can be found. It is just the goodwill that is required between the two entities of Parliament to ensure that all mediations are not failing. When we look at the Division of Revenue Bill, this is one Bill that I would call technical, but it is also very procedural because it is a Bill that needs to be discussed now and again during every financial year. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the trend that has been set now by this mediation team speaks to the fact that we should not be having hiccups or we should not be having any roadblocks towards mediation and settlement of issues that are just obvious and issues that should be resolved. The Senate was pushing for Kshs415 billion and we have seen that at least we have an additional 15 billion to the projected estimate of Kshs391 billion that the National Assembly had projected in the Division of Revenue Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the revised version shows that more resources can be committed to the counties. It also shows that the Senate is very dedicated and committed to ensuring that devolution succeeds and that counties have more resources. We have seen the exposure counties have gone through during emergencies, including the flooding that has occurred in the nation. More resources should now be sent to the counties, an affirmation of devolution and transformation of the lives of the people so that Kenyans can come to a point of appreciating that devolution was intended to improve their lives. It is a very good thing that the mediation team has done. They should share their notes with any other mediation teams. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there are many Bills on your desk; between your Office and the National Assembly which will require this mediation. The delay and the clogging that has happened, especially when Senate Bills are sent to the National Assembly, means now that should be unclogged. So, put in more mediation teams for those Bills that have not been agreed upon, let us confidently put mediation teams and give them timelines."
}