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    "id": 396734,
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    "content": "well the environment in which they live and that is why they are respected. They are considered morally upright largely because they have managed their own families well, brought up their children well and set a good example to others. They are respected because they are neutral and can be relied upon to arbitrate properly during periods of conflict between families and members of the communities. But most importantly, they are respected because they are peacemakers. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the current constitutional dispensation, it is envisaged that good governance will start right at the village level. Indeed, contact between the county government and the citizens is expected to start at the village level. The county government must understand the expectations of its people, their challenges and their priorities in order to be able to serve them effectively. The citizens must also have a platform through which they would discuss matters and convey their wishes and expectations to the Government. I see, therefore a platform of elders--- If they are properly identified, I see them as serving as an important critical link between the communities and the administration. They provide a link with the newly created positions of ward administrator, sub-county administrator and a link with their own county governments. I see the village elders playing that critical role. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to touch a little bit on what the Mover of the Motion discussed at great length; the issue of security. Security has become a matter of great concern to everybody. We have witnessed serious cases of security lapses and breaches. In fact, there have been situations of serious breakdown of law and order. We have seen that in Tana River, Garissa and other parts of North Eastern Kenya. We have seen that even in Samburu, Kitui, Bungoma and very many other parts of the country. A week or so, we saw it in Nairobi. In all these incidences we have lost many lives. Many of our people have been injured while others have been permanently maimed and completely incapacitated. We have lost large amounts of valuable property and the country is still bleeding. Insecurity is not good for development and investment. We cannot attract, leave alone, local investments, but foreign investments if our security is not right. It is clear to all of us that the current security arrangements are clearly not effective; that they have failed us. We must urgently review the existing security arrangements and structures. This is incumbent upon all of us as a nation.. The failures which we have experienced have clearly demonstrated that we cannot adequately provide security throughout the country from the centre. It is not possible to provide security from a central command. We must, therefore, involve the communities. We must encourage every Kenyan to take responsibility for security where he lives and where he works. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have also seen that community policing – from the place where you and I come from – has been very effective. Therefore, if village elders are given a leading role in issues of security, I am sure that we can reduce this escalating insecurity because they know the areas well and the people they are living with. In the event of any security breach, these people will be able to identify the perpetrators. They know who the criminal elements are within their own communities. In addition to all that, we also know that the elders have played a very significant role in terms of dispute resolution on issues of land. They have come in and been able to amicably solve these disputes. In domestic and family disputes, the village elders know 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."
}