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    "id": 404502,
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    "content": "to promote democratic and accountable exercise of power;” Mr. Speaker, Sir, the object of devolution is not to glorify an individual. In this country the moment you start talking about devolution, then they will say that you are attacking governors, as if the word “Governor” is synonymous with devolution. Devolution does not exist to strengthen a Senator, Governor or Member of the National Assembly, but to make sure that the county governments are run democratically and are accountable in the way that they exercise power. There is no better way of making sure that the power exercised at that level is accountable, than to have the entire spectrum of leadership in that county sitting together, looking at the development plans, priorities, agreeing on a roadmap and also tracking the implementation of that roadmap. So, the objects of devolution are very clear. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 174(c) reads:- “( c ) to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them;” Mr. Speaker, Sir, this tendency of one person running the show and dishing out money to whoever he thinks of is unconstitutional. So, if there is something that this Bill has done, it is to bring down constitutionalism and sanity in the new dispensation of leadership. So, devolution will ensure that the people participate through their elected leadership. That is why the Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and Senators, both elected and nominated, are represented in this board. For the avoidance of doubt – and I want this to go on record – there is no superior spokesman of the people in the county above the Senator. That is what the Constitution provides and we exist to do. We speak, represent and defend the people. So, if I am not involved in what is happening in my county, then I am abdicating my constitutional responsibility. In fact, initially, when this Bill had been published and there was a lot of discourse out there, I was on record outside this House saying that it does not matter who chairs this board. I am now persuaded, beyond peradventure, that the Senator must chair 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"
}