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{
    "id": 427440,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/427440/?format=api",
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    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, sometimes we have to read the Constitution innovatively and achieve the purpose of the Constitution itself. The Constitution wants a nation in which people have services and our children can go to school and be properly taken care of. I think ultimately in the area of devolution of functions, the legal framework is already in place, but the Jubilee administration is shy to allow the county governments to participate in matters to do with security. The County Security Council Chairman is supposed to be the Governor. There was a time I was appearing in court for a Member of Parliament for Turkana, hon. Ekidor, where he was charged with an offence in cattle rustling. There was an invasion by cattle rustlers across the border. The security people, the police and the OCPD came to the courts and said that they wanted this man released so that he could help them carry out border operations between Ethiopia and Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know you know the former Member of Parliament for Turkana, Mr. Ekidor. From being my client, he was whisked into a police helicopter and when they came back they said that they had taken care of the problem. We went to court and the police came and said that they had instructions although they had no letter from the Attorney-General to withdraw the case against my client. That was one of the easiest cases that I succeeded in. I cannot imagine a situation like that in Samburu, Pokot or for that matter, Siaya, where you carry out a security operation, but do not involve the local administration, the county government and even the political leadership. When there were incidences going on in Bungoma County, there was a lot of political noise being made. However, it was political leaders who were behind what was happening there. When the police were allowed to deal with the problem on their own, the violence continued. As soon as we involved a local leader in Bungoma, there was a quick solution. So, probably, in the future, we must also think innovatively on how county governments can function more effectively. If there is no proper security, then all these things we are talking about cannot take place; be it in Nairobi or any part of the country. In my view, there are counties where there are minorities. If we do not deal with minorities very well we will not also succeed. At a national level in matters of security, the national Government should involve everybody across the board, including minorities and all centres of the population. I will stop there because I will have an opportunity to talk about this issue. I hope that you will not go away because I have a very important message to deliver on this issue of security as we discuss the Motion of Adjournment. Thank you."
}