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{
    "id": 424759,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/424759/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
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    "content": "legal profession, there is something we call “Senior Counsel” which Sen. James Orengo is. When you are a Senior Counsel, you are a man of honour, dignity and integrity. You are supposed to show direction to the other lawyers in the manner in which you conduct yourself publicly and interpret the law. I am saying this because Sen. Orengo knows some of his colleagues whom we have watched on television and read in newspapers. They do not deserve the conferment of that honour of “Senior Counsel” under the Law Society of Kenya Act, because they interpret legislation just for the sake of their stomachs and to satisfy their immediate client, when we know very well that Senior Counsel, like Sen. James Orengo and Sen. Amos Wako are supposed to provide legal leadership that will guide and deepen devolution in this country. I want to challenge Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki, Sen. James Orengo, Sen. Moses Wetangula, who was even a magistrate at one time and Sen. Janet Ong’era, that even in that team, when it comes to legal matters, you must act beyond just the position that you are a Senator, for the best interest of the country. I am saying this with a lot of humility and respect, because those of us who are yet to even attain the status of being a judge have been so embarrassed to see some of our colleagues - who should have been holding our hands and walking with us to show us direction and how to deepen the law - only driven by the desire to accumulate wealth; what Karl Marx used to call “primitive accumulation of wealth,” and brag about what kind of suit they wear or car they drive and whether they practice in Nairobi or Iten. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is important that this House demonstrates that respect and relationship and that we can work and lead this House. I am saying this because I know that this year, I have various proposals that I have already drafted into legislation. One of them is that we need also to provide guidance and leadership at the county in terms of the relationship of leadership in the county. You will find that the Deputy Governor in the county is just but a bystander in the running of the affairs of the country. As you will see in a week or two, I have a legislation that proposes certain specific responsibilities of the Deputy Governor. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have also legislative proposals to ensure that we provide specific legislative direction on the Deputy Speakers of the county assemblies. Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki is working on the privileges and immunities of the county assemblies. Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki, Sen. Elachi and I are working on legislation which proposes stronger devolution by ensuring that more of that money goes to development expenditure than recurrent expenditure. So, all these legislative proposals will enable this House to be seen out there as not only a House of wisdom, but also a House that is interested in deepening devolution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I like what my friend, the Senate Minority Leader, said the other day; that devolution is not Governors. Devolution is Senators, the people of Kenya and the interests of Kenyans. We must act this year for that benefit of this country. As the Chair of the Committee on Devolved Government – and I hope that I will remain so – I will ensure that my Committee and colleagues will work together with the other committees, to ensure that we deepen and strengthen devolution. 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."
}