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{
    "id": 1551979,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1551979/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 762,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "of the expertise generally available within county governments. By doing that they are expected to ensure they comply with the process of procuring such services. Madam Temporary Speaker, this is provided for by the Office of the County Attorney Act where the procedure of procuring services is provided for and this also. The same act provides for the limits within which this amount should be charged. As we make these proposals we are alive to the fact that they are also entitled to make certain decisions. This is because they are the people who would largely be affected by whatever decision that is taken when it comes to matters legal that have either been filed before court or matters which are supposed to be dealt with within the county government. The committee was alive to also the fact that this is a service industry and, therefore, it is regulated in law. Entitlement by law to the services of a lawyer cannot be limited particularly because of the cost. The cost can be managed because the law provides on how to bill and also limits under the advocates remuneration order the amount of legal fees that one is expected to charge. Madam Temporary Speaker, that is forming the basis of the recommendations made. As we do this recommendation, I take note of the fact that the joint committee was expected to engage particularly at the level of the county governments. The committee relevant to deal with this petition was the committee on devolution and inter- governmental Relations. Since the aspect of legal fees dealt with the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights committee, that informed the position that was agreed in a consensus mode. Lastly, I appreciate the fact that the office of the Clerk of the Senate and the office of the Speaker of the Senate supplied this committee with relevant services. I take this early opportunity to appreciate and thank the offices for the support that was extended to this Joint Committee in undertaking this very important petition. The various stakeholders who are key players in this sector indeed supplied us with very important information that fed into this report. The unfortunate thing was the absence of any interest from the office of the Attorney-General that should have created more interest. I take this early opportunity to encourage the Attorney-General and the office of the Solicitor General to take serious the summons and also the requisitions that would go out of this House. Without their input we lose a lot of public interest aspect that would be taken care of by the office of the Attorney-General. As to whether or not this can speak to the commitment and the respect that the office of the AG takes to this House, I leave that to the judgment of the office of the AG. They cannot claim not to have been notified or to have had personnel to ensure that they give their input to this very critical aspect. This is something that has a lot of public interest and it was expected that the office of the AG would have played a role in supporting or to give a guide in terms of the recommendations, which would be very relevant to this particular petition. Madam Temporary Speaker therefore I now submit this report and ask the honorable Members to support. I request the honourable Senator for Nairobi City County, my good friend, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, to second. 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."
}