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{
    "id": 393011,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/393011/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 224,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Chelule",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13126,
        "legal_name": "Liza Chelule",
        "slug": "liza-chelule"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I must congratulate the Committee that prepared this Report after the county visits. County visits are very important because they will give us a chance, as Senators, to really know the problems facing the public and find ways of assisting them. Madam Temporary Speaker, I would not like to repeat what my fellow Senators have talked about, but there is one issue that speaks about our main role of legislation. We know that there are so many problems facing people at the grassroots level, but I want to speak about agriculture. In Nakuru County where I come from, there is a problem with the size and cost of a bag of potatoes. It is my feeling that this problem should be addressed through legislation. It is surprising that the Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) do not have the structures to assist them to do legislation based on the problems facing them on the ground. We are here as Senators to represent counties and county governments. When I talk about counties, I am referring to the public itself. There is no way we will assist the public if we do not know their problems. So, I am even requesting those other committees which have not made any effort to visit counties to do so and table their reports. Each and every time we have these reports, we shall be able to come up with modalities of addressing problems. Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to speak about staffing in the county governments. As much as we would want to employ experienced people, we also know that we have our young people who are growing. They should also be given space in the county governments or any other place. We cannot be talking about experienced people alone. Somebody somewhere should be given time to also begin working. Someone cannot have experience unless that person is given time to show whether he or she can deliver. Madam Temporary Speaker, county visits will also enable us, as Senators, to know the priorities of each and every county. It is good that we are going through the Report about Mombasa County. I would take this opportunity to request my fellow Senators that we should make an effort of visiting all the counties and coming up with such reports. That way, we will be able to know what problems actually face which county. This will help us to come up with solutions as representatives of counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, very many people do not know issues about the Constitution and devolved funds. Today, we were talking about the Uwezo Fund, the Youth Development Fund and all that is supposed to be done by the youth and women of this country. By visiting various counties, we will have an opportunity to educate the public. It is very important that, as Senators, we do not just sit but do something about sensitization. We need to sensitize the community about the devolved funds and be there for them. There are so many youths who are getting lost because of engaging in illicit brews. To me, this should be addressed by legislation in the county assemblies. So, the MCAs should actually be assisted to develop legislation, because this is our key role. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}