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{
    "id": 1566917,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566917/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 334,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Are you aware Members that this is the only dictate of the Constitution where once the Senate has made a decision, the National Assembly must raise a two-thirds majority to overturn it? Madam Temporary Speaker, it is a power that we must use judiciously and with great wisdom. I know Sen. Ali Roba has prepared himself well and is ready to convince us. That is a good thing because a good chair must always be prepared at all times. However, we must also appreciate that this matter is highly emotional as it speaks to the very foundation of why one is elected as a Senator. We pride ourselves in public gatherings every now and then in our counties, saying, \"I have brought you this amount.” Sen. (Dr.) Boni, that long lecture that you give to Governor Fernandes is a product of this formula. It is out of your intellectual input during this season that you shall be able to ensure you succeed in giving sufficient funds to Kakamega County. Madam Temporary Speaker, the first church service I attended this year was conducted by a very special Kenyan, Fr. Alois Cheruyiot Bett who was shot last week by bandits in Elgeyo Marakwet. I remember my speech to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet. I promised them that when we finally consider the formula this year, we shall be mindful of all the 47 of counties. We shall also consider counties that are not economically viable, given the formula and the way we arranged it last time. I made a commitment. For your benefit, let it be known that those are my in-laws. My wife comes from Elgeyo Marakwet. Therefore, I do not want to run the deep risk of having misled my in-laws. Sen. Omogeni and Senator for Vihiga County, these are our colleagues. Unfortunately, as Sen. Wambua has narrated, on the day Sen. Ali Roba was supposed to convince all of us, we had a very important guest whom we could not turn away. I take the blame as leadership for scheduling two very important events on the same day. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is not too much to request that we schedule another kamukunji next week, either on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, so that Sen. Roba and his team gets sufficient time to listen to colleagues who are raising very serious concerns about the proposal they are making and answer them before the House makes a decision. We may not eventually agree with our colleagues, but at the very least, we should listen to them. It is not a must that we will eventually agree, but at least we should grant them an opportunity to try to convince us, as a House, that if we were to follow this process, eventually their people will feel sufficiently represented and also feel that the Senate of the Republic of Kenya listened to their plea. Lastly, Madam Temporary Speaker, when we are sworn in here each term as Senators, we swear to defend and protect this Constitution. This Constitution serves all 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."
}