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{
    "id": 386770,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/386770/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 150,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wetangula",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 210,
        "legal_name": "Moses Masika Wetangula",
        "slug": "moses-wetangula"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, you may recall my learned friend saying that the word “gymnastics” was not suitable here, but I am happy that he has accepted that it is appropriate. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to second. This emanates from the Rules and Business Committee that took cognizance of the fact that as Senators, you have a critical role and link with the county assemblies. We, as Senators, have to continue engagement with them and tomorrow is a very critical day for the county assemblies, where all the assemblies are being launched as it were or officially opened. We have heard innuendos here and there of attempts to either backtrack or be lukewarm in paying attention to matters of devolution for which this Senate is the custodian. I think that it is absolutely important and desirable that Senators be given an opportunity where they can, to go and exhibit authority and relevance in these county assemblies as they start their business and assure them that, as a House, we stand united in the support and defence of devolved units, united and focused in supporting their existence and that we shall at all times, be available to support allocation of sufficient revenue and, in the words of Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, provide good and strong oversight in the expenditure of those resources. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know that the time is limited and colleagues from as far as Wajir and Mandera may find it difficult, if they do not own aircraft, to fly to their counties but those who can, as many as we can, it will be desirable to go and express our solidarity and presence with the county assemblies as they open. It is equally important, because I will not have an opportunity to speak again, for Senators to continue encouraging members of the county assemblies and remind them that they are not councillors, but members of the county assemblies with a clear mandate to legislate and work for the counties. This is because the impression you get is something like “they have just transitioned from councillors to other councillors in different capacity”. They are actually not councillors. They should be reminded constantly that their role must be carried out with decorum, dignity and patriotic thinking; that they have a duty to support the devolved units to grow from this nascent stage to units that will be the pillars of development in the country. I want to encourage Members to all times remain steadfast in support of devolution, because we are actually the foundation and the rock on which devolution is going to flourish. We must at all times, when it comes to matters of devolution, take a bi-partisan approach in defending devolved units because that is what Kenyans have fought for. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to second the Motion and encourage that we do exactly what we have proposed that we should do."
}