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{
    "id": 158347,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/158347/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "of Local Government and the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan? What is the boundary between the Ministry of Medical Services and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation? What is the boundary between the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Roads? These are the fundamental issues that are eating into the efficiency levels when it comes to either procurement or delivery of many Government services. These are functions that the Grand Coalition Government needs to look at very carefully, particularly as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance prepares to deliver his Financial Statement. One of the things that we need to bear in mind is that yesterday’s ruling by the Speaker was, indeed, a surprise to so many people. Everybody had taken very specific partisan positions. The Speaker has done one important thing. He has underscored the independence of Parliament. We may not like his ruling, from whichever side you may be sitting, but he has underscored the importance of Parliament. It is important that Parliament retains that independence. Parliament should not operate under the direction of anybody. That is where we will be able to build and move very effectively in this country. I know there were moments when people would say that this is a sad day because there have been disagreements, but I feel that what has happened is part of the development process for this country. Those of us who understand Kenyans’ politics know that we will live with coalitions for a very long time. The era where you would find one extremely dominant party is going to be very difficult to come by. The lesson we have to learn now is that what can we do to consult appropriately because in any government, the process of consultation is absolutely necessary. But it is even greater in a coalition Government. The message that is being sent out is; let us learn to consult. Let us consult. Once we do so, it would be much easier to make decisions and carry forward on the reform agenda, particularly the constitutional amendment, that has been pending for the last 15 years. The lesson that Parliament has sent back to Executive is that: “You people sit down and talk among yourselves and sort out issues amicably.” Let us come to Parliament with a united legislative agenda. Then we can face the criticisms and the corrections from the Back Bench who would be telling us that they think there is a fault line in this particular area. Then we correct and we move forward. That message is so critical. I can tell you from a financial view point that the Speaker’s ruling may have stopped the slide of the shilling last night. Chances are the exchange rate could have started rapidly running away just by the shear fact that there is potential political crisis in this country."
}