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{
    "id": 386360,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/386360/?format=api",
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    "content": "think that the MRC needs solutions that are able to address some of the most pertinent issues that afflict us, as a society. I think that it cannot be simply wished away as a criminal outfit. As much as we do not support violence, it is important that the issues that have been articulated over time to successive Presidents are addressed by the fourth President. One of it, as I emphasized, is the issue of land. For Mombasa and the entire Coast Province, land will remain a dear subject. No political leadership will ever succeed in this part of the country if they are unable to address the fundamental question of land. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I was a bit perturbed by the amendments that the President envisages in the National Police Service. I hope that they are not the amendments that have been suggested by the Inspector-General (IG) that seem to simply weaken the infrastructure for accountability and preserve the former police force as it were. I do hope that the amendments as envisaged are those that are important in ensuring that the police reforms are implemented and they adapt to the new paradigms of security and policing in this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the President talked about a fundamental issue. He talked about the enactment of the freedom or access to information Bill. There can never been an open Government without access to information. Talking about transparency is defeatist without ensuring that the access to information Bill is enshrined in the Constitution. Therefore, the civil society and Members of Parliament must act proactively to ensure that freedom of information becomes the hallmark of our governance. Without access to information, governance continues to be opaque and corruption continues to thrive. Therefore, we must ensure that freedom and access to information is a guaranteed right under the Constitution. We must, therefore, devise ways and criteria upon which information that touches on the heart of this nation in terms of our accountability, is released to members of the public on account of national interest. Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, I do believe that as much as we have heard the various factions around how we managed our politics before this election, I think what Sen.Wako has said is about devolution. The Senate must take up its inherent role to defend devolution at whatever cost, constitutionally possible. I think that all of us must work from across the aisle to ensure that devolution, which is the hope and expectation of a number of Kenyans, becomes the reality of the new Constitution. Therefore, I add my voice to those appealing for the scrapping of the office of the County Commissioners, to ensure that the elected governors represent the spirit and authority that the Constitution envisages. I do believe that we have had a very difficult time in terms of managing the centre with respect to the devolution structure. I do hope that the Civil Service will also be reformed. One of the undoings of the Kibaki regime when it came to power was to leave the Civil Service intact. This Civil Service came with very old ideas. I think that if we need to move forward with the new paradigm shift, then it is incumbent that we overhaul the Civil Service, to ensure that it is effective in the discharge of the new mandate that is envisaged by the Constitution. These men and women who have been there for too long might be detrimental to the new society that this country is trying to 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."
}