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{
    "id": 384737,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/384737/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 118,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "an attempt to kill devolution by ensuring that counties are not given adequate funding to take root and build the kind of firm foundation that they are supposed to build upon. I also want to challenge the Executive to really come clean on this issue. This is because even the perception that we have a very big battle between the Senate and the National Assembly, in my opinion, is an issue that is being overblown. It looks like there is some pressure coming from somewhere to create some kind of issue between these two Houses, and the Press is finding itself right in between. This is because, in my opinion, the supremacy of the Constitution must be upheld. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Constitution is very clear on the parallel but complementary mandates of the Senate and the National Assembly. Our primary mandate is to ensure the welfare of counties. Now, how do we undertake that kind of a mandate if we do not ensure that the said counties are adequately funded, so that they can undertake their very extensive mandates? If this issue is not well handled by the Executive, then I want to be on record as saying and stating here that this will be the beginning of the process to kill devolution. Devolution was one of the pillars that made Kenyans overwhelmingly vote for the Constitution. If we are going to make any intelligent attempts to kill or strangle devolution and ensure that we speak about supporting devolution, but on the other side ensure that we underfund counties, so that the same devolution dies naturally, then I think that it is doublespeak. I want to urge my colleagues in the National Assembly that we have spent too much time--- I want to thank the Senators because I have not heard anyone of them really engaging in the pettiness of the supremacy battle. Some things are better not said. Let Kenyans know which of the Houses is supreme even in the manner in which we conduct ourselves. What kind of logic is there in spending entire afternoons and days debating on how supreme they are because they have 350 Members and we only have 67 Senators? Somebody will come and say that the Presidency is junior to county assembly members because they are more. We cannot sustain those kinds of arguments. How do you sustain the fact that you are more supreme simply because you are more?"
}