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{
    "id": 393463,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/393463/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 151,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Elachi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13115,
        "legal_name": "Beatrice Elachi",
        "slug": "beatrice-elachi"
    },
    "content": "Indeed, even his family members are wondering what he is doing in that office if he will end up dying. These are some of the things that Commissioner Serem must look at seriously. One of the things we do not understand, even in the Senate, is whether the Commissioner’s powers override the Constitution. These are jobs which were created after the new Constitution was passed. Since 2010, Commissioner Serem cannot tell us that she has not had time to evaluate people before they came into office. She should have known how many people would be coming to office and how she would pay them. She should have known that she has 2,000 MCAs coming into office and their job descriptions. She says that she does not have money. However, she should give them a dignified package to make them work. That is one thing that Commissioner Serem has never understood. I doubt if she would have appreciated to be treated the way she has treated people, not only the MCAs but also Senators. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Senators, today, are still awaiting replies of the proposals that were sent to her. She has never bothered to say that, indeed, she received our letter and given us the status. That way, we would understand how things are and move on. The MCAs are now about to go to a period where they will be looking at the next budget. They are saying that they are on recess. They do not want to use the words; “we are on strike.” They told me that they are on a legal recess because they will not be getting any salary. They said that if they do not get salaries, counties will close down. Indeed, we are seeing it happening. The counties are about to close. I am urging and requesting this House to summon Commissioner Serem in a Committee of the Whole. We will not call her to appear before my Committee on Devolved Government but before a Committee of the Whole where we will ask her questions. We should ask Commissioner Serem whether she understands the word devolution and what she wants to achieve. I think those are the things she does not understand. If she understood the meaning of devolution, we would have moved on. The county assemblies are requesting something that is not binding. They are saying that if they will not get their salaries today, they will wait. However, they should be given a period of when the salaries will come. They should also be given the way forward. When someone is in a comfort zone, they do not think about someone else. That is the challenge we are facing as Kenyans. When we are in comfort zones, we do not even care about those who do not have jobs. I know that as Senate, we have stood firm with the counties. You have fought for this course even when times were very difficult in terms of transferring functions and fighting for the existence of MCAs. I think it is time we stood firm with our 2,000 MCAs and ensure that they go back to work in a manner that is dignified. They should come back after reaching serious resolutions with Commissioner Serem on the package they will receive while doing their jobs. I beg to move."
}