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{
    "id": 386200,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/386200/?format=api",
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    "content": "Let me also congratulate my fellow Senators because they went through the same struggle. They were voted in and that is why they are here. I also want to thank them for electing you as the Speaker of the Senate. I want to remind ourselves that the job of Senators is clearly spelt out in Article 96 of the Constitution. I do not know whether we realize that as opposed to the hon. Members of the National Assembly who represent the interests of their constituencies, we do more than representing our counties. The Constitution clearly states that we are there to protect the interests of the counties and their governments. That phraseology “to protect” is not there when the Constitution is talking about hon. Members. I want to believe that the 67 of us are here because we believe passionately in protecting the interest of the counties and their governments. Consequently, because of our commitment, we, as a Senate, should speak with one voice irrespective of which political parties brought us here. I noticed the contribution by the Senate Majority Leader - he is also of the same view, that we have a bi-partisan approach on this matter. Secondly, as the Senate, we must assert our role in the pecking order. If you look at the draft that came out of Naivasha to Parliament, not the Committee of Experts’ draft, there was a specific clause which stated that the National Assembly is number one and the Senate is number two. But thanks to us in the Committee of Experts, we deleted that clause. In deleting that clause, we left room for us, as the Senate, to assert our role as the premier House. I am glad that His Excellency the President recognizes that role of the Senate in the pecking order. The Presidential Speech itself, I must say, in terms of aims and objectives of the Jubilee Government, was wide ranging and touched on many issues. I am glad that he recognized the role of a vibrant opposition in this country. He went as far as stating that he will support the civil societies as they take on the Government on various issues. I think that was a positive thing. He talked of the need to spark an industrial revolution. This must be there before 2030, although he used the words “within our generation”. I think 2030 is the date that we are all aiming to have an industrial revolution, so that we are a middle class income economy in the world. He talked of the need of tackling the issue of unemployment which is a time bomb in this country because about 70 per cent of our youth are unemployed. He talked about tourism, food security and modernizing agriculture. He talked about health, water and electricity, energy and corruption. I would say that to the extent that he committed himself to implementing the letter and spirit of the Constitution. We shall take him on when it comes to the interests of persons with disabilities in this country because he must implement the Constitution. So, in terms of that I can say, it is a tick. Mr. Speaker, Sir, if you look at the United Nations’ records, we are a country that is known for producing excellent feasibility studies on any topic. For example, if you talk of the modern transportation system in Nairobi, you will realize that many studies have been done. However, we are very poor when it comes to implementing what we want. Therefore, it is that level of implementing this speech that we, as the CORD Coalition, and also as the Senate, we shall take on the Government where they fall short. That is our role as the opposition; to offer constructive criticism where we feel they are falling short of their promises to the people of Kenya. 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."
}