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{
"id": 1558291,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1558291/?format=api",
"text_counter": 112,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "pressures and a deep disconnect between Government policies and public sentiments towards the system. Had the Government institutionalised mechanisms for meaningful public participation and scenarios planning, we might have detected the signs earlier and acted before frustration turned into protest. Had we considered long-term thinking in our legislation proposals, perhaps we may have turned our appetite for an unsustainable debt that has now pushed us to tax Kenyans heavily to meet our obligation? As the Chairperson of the Senate Future Caucus, I am proud to be spearheading future thinking within this House. The caucus has this past weekend held an impactful induction strategic foresight retreat in the Great Maasai Mara Game Reserve. We laid the groundwork for institutionalising a culture of anticipatory governance thinking in the Senate of Kenya. The retreat brought together Members of the Senate Future Caucus, including myself, the Chairperson, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, Sen. Thang’wa, Sen. Kibwana, Sen. Crystal Asige, Sen. Gataya Mo Fire and Sen. Wakili Sigei. Other Members of the Future Caucus included Sen. M. Kajwang’, Sen. Abdul Haji, Sen. Onyonka, Sen. Kisang, Sen. Kathuri, Sen. Abass, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, Sen. Ali Roba, Sen. Ogola, Sen. Eddy Gicheru, Sen. Sifuna, Sen. Chute and Sen. Wamatinga. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is still a lot of work required to establish a formal legislative framework for foresight, while ensuring the institutional commitment and accountability. Across the world, parliaments such as Finland, Uruguay and Philippines have embedded futures thinking into the legislative architecture. These legislatures have equipped their institutions with foresight tools, conducting scenarios planning and engaging experts and citizens in shaping long-term agendas. Legislatures that have embraced foresights do not just react to crises; they anticipate them. They do not just manage problems; they create opportunities through their legislative proposals. They can better allocate resources, understand the long-term impact of laws and ensure that the legislature is robust enough to withstand the test of time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in this regard, Kenya must not be left behind. The Senate as the ‘upper’ House of Parliament must lead the way in innovating our approach to governance and ensure that Kenya takes the lead on the continent in institutionalizing foresight. I attended a highly acclaimed UN Summit on the future, which took place last year in September. Heads of states from all around the world were in attendance and made commitment to safeguard the interest of the future generation. During the Summit, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr. William Ruto, pledged to embed foresights across all levels of Government. This is an important commitment to which we must hold him accountable. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to applaud Senators who participated for their forward-looking leadership and commend our partners, the School of International Futures (SOIF), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Longview Consult, notably Dr. Katindi Sivi, for their steadfast commitment to capacity building and global best practices. I also thank the Senate Liaison Office (SLO) for logistical and institutional support. 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."
}