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{
    "id": 380442,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/380442/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Obure",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 118,
        "legal_name": "Christopher Mogere Obure",
        "slug": "christopher-obure"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make a few remarks in support of this Motion. This is a very important Motion, well thought out and was very effectively and eloquently presented by my friend from Nyeri, Sen. Kagwe and also very ably seconded by the Senator for Nyamira, Sen. Okong’o. The objective of devolution is to improve and make the lives of citizens better. This will be done through enhancing service delivery and indeed improving the quality of service provided to the citizens in every county. It will be done through enhancing accountability in the manner in which resources are utilized. It would be done overall by improving governance at all levels. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I strongly believe that the role of the MCA will be central and will be critical in achieving these ideals. We must, therefore, support MCAs and give them space to play their role fully. Unfortunately, many people still think and see MCAs as councillors and I think this is very unfortunate. They should not be equated to councilors of yesteryears. These are people who will play a very important role because they are close to the people and interact with people on a daily basis. Therefore, they will be helping the Government both at the county and national level to enable citizens understand government programmes better. Today, they represent areas much bigger than councilors used to represent. The population in their wards is much bigger. The education requirements of a MCA are much higher today. As a result we see lawyers, engineers, medical doctors and other professionals sitting in our assemblies. These are serious people who need to be recognized and supported. Their roles are also much wider today. The MCAs will be involved in the process of budget-making, making laws in their assemblies and also oversight activities. They will be holding the county executive accountable. They are the ones who are going to ensure that the governors and the county executive committee members are accountable to the people in discharging their responsibilities and that they operate within acceptable limits. This role is going to be played by MCA. It is for this reason that I want to agree with the spirit of this Motion that MCAs need to be facilitated in every possible way. We must enable them to acquire knowledge through properly designed programmes, which will enable them to enhance their capacity as individuals. Once their capacity is enhanced, they will be able to discharge their functions more effectively. We must organize workshops and interactions between county assembly members and other groups including the Senate itself. Let us interact with them and exchange views with them. Let us organize meetings between them and Members of the National Assembly and, indeed, with other professionals so that they can better understand their role and the expectations of their citizens in the respective areas that they represent. We must equip them with computers and train them on the use of various ICT gadgets, among other things. This will enhance their performance and improve levels of governance all round. We must also enable them to move around in their respective areas. Today, we enjoy the privilege of cars which have been provided to us through grants. I do not see The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}