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{
"id": 262247,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/262247/?format=api",
"text_counter": 116,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Magerer",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Energy",
"speaker": {
"id": 51,
"legal_name": "Magerer Kiprono Langat",
"slug": "magerer-langat"
},
"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, right now, the Provincial Administration is basically in charge of security matters all over the country. As we move to the counties, it is prudent for the county governor to be in charge of the county security committee. At the sub-county level, we could also have an officer to be in charge of security matters within that level, and he will be chairing the security committee at that level. Such an arrangement will ensure that security matters are taken care of at all levels. That is a duty which is currently being performed by the Provincial Administration. This Bill does not envisage the extension in terms of service by the Provincial Administration. Therefore, the duties of the county governor, as provided under Clause 31(1)(b), where it is stated that the governor shall take and subscribe an oath, and that after assuming office, the governor shall perform such state functions within the county as the President may determine. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, to me, this looks as if we still do not accept that the governor will be competent enough to be in charge of the responsibilities of his own county. In as much as we accept that the county governor will serve the people of Kenya the same the President does, it is important to remove any doubt. Therefore, I suggest that some words like “subject to the Constitution” be added, so that we do not have the President directing the county governor to, for instance, arrest an individual within the county. Such a thing may not be a good show. I believe that an amendment to this sub-clause is necessary to remove the doubt. As we move into the county government system, it is important for Kenyans, and for those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that we transit properly, to continuously remind themselves that Kenyans have said that they want a devolved system of governance and of development programmes. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I heard my colleague who contributed before me, hon. ole Metito, say that there is no need of having flags for the counties to represent certain interests within the counties. If we are going to have one flag in all the counties, it will show that in our minds, we still do not want to move away from the centralised kind of thinking. The way this Bill has been formulated, it is upon individual counties to decide what they think is a good flag within their own county, and what will best reflect the identity of that particular county. So, in as much as we could have issues about wanting to look like we are one country, we have one national flag but individual counties also should have their own counties. For instance, maybe, the flagship product in Kericho County is tea. There is nothing wrong in having a flag that depicts tea or something like that for that county. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not want to take a lot of time because most of the issues have been addressed. I want to, again, thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government for coming up with this very important Bill; I urge hon. Members to support it, so that we can begin to realise the fruits of devolution. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}