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{
    "id": 262181,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/262181/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 50,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Hassan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 398,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
        "slug": "yusuf-hassan-abdi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to contribute to the Debate on The County Governments Bill in particular to the issues relating to the powers of the Governor. Given the fact that the power and the responsibilities that we will give the Governor are too much, particularly, in terms of the management of the resources of the county, in order to take action against abuse or misuse of office, it is important that we put stringent effective measures to remove and recall the Governor if need arises. I do not think that I agree with the argument that county representatives will use this as harassment. I think “harassment” is a negative word in that sense. I think it is important that we deal with issues of this kind with the knowledge that power is corrupting and, therefore, we must have proper checks and balance. The position of the Governor, if not checked can be used negatively and to the detriment of the greater group. I think this is in the essence of democracy which is informed by the will of the people. We must be able to make it easy for the people to remove and recall a publicly elected figure like the Governor. It is, therefore, all right for me for the Governor to be stressed all the time and to be under scrutiny knowing that if he or she does their job very well, then they will have the respect and support of the public. But, in case they make a mistake, particularly because this is a new institution, we must be very vigilant. I would like to take an example of Limpopo in South Africa. South Africa has already experimented with the process of having Governors. We know that the State of Limpopo is now bankrupt because it has had a corrupt Governor who was supported by a corrupt Assembly and a corrupt leadership. Therefore, we must learn from that experience. There is another experience in the Philippines where the governors have looted the resources of the counties that they were given responsibility. As we embark on this road, we must emphasize the fact that as we give the governors the power to manage the counties, we must also be given the means to recall or remove them if need arises. I think, as the Good doctor has said, the assemblies only began the censure. However, the process of removing a Governor can only be held at the higher level of the Senate. Therefore, this is a very long process and it will not be as easy as my hon. colleague mentioned here earlier on. Looking at the experience of other countries, we must learn lessons and we must not be misled by the fact that the governors in this new experiment we will carry out will be just as good as any other. I think we must also be prepared for the worst and put the necessary legislation in the County Governments Bill to ensure that if the Governor does not do his or her job well, then we will have the means to remove and recall him or her before the damage is done to the national resources of that particular county. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}