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{
    "id": 440324,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/440324/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 400,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Anami",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2773,
        "legal_name": "Lisamula Silverse Anami",
        "slug": "lisamula-silverse-anami"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. I would like to thank the Committee for this new arrangement, especially as far as appearance of Cabinet Secretaries before Parliament is concerned. This is very important. One thing that has been missing is the responsibility of Cabinet Secretaries to members of the public. The Constitution promises citizens of this country an interactive process and inclusiveness. However, this new arrangement where Cabinet Secretaries are not directly responsible to the public has made them take a back seat. They, therefore, do not respond directly to the concerns of the public which in turn is unable to evaluate the performance of these Cabinet Secretaries. This will, indeed, give us an opportunity to create that interface and interaction even with members of the public. Really, members of the public who are our voters do not know the work that Committees engage in. This will provide an opportunity for them to understand what is happening. I support that kind of arrangement. There is also the issue of oversight. This move will improve the role of oversight by Members of Parliament because questions and concerns of Members will be responded to instantly and we will be able to make follow-ups. We have had a lot of work happening behind the scenes through the Committees, but that has not served us well and so Kenyans have not been able to know what is happening behind the scenes. With regard to the issue of adjustment of time on Wednesdays, the risk that we might face is that people will tend to introduce new activities. I think we need to learn the culture of being strict with our time. I would suggest that we just maintain our current time of 9.00 a.m. and wake up early. Nevertheless, we need to give more time to Members of Parliament and Cabinet Secretaries in case we have to interact more. That way we will be encouraged. Hon. Speaker, there is the compromise between the Chairpersons of Committees and the Executive. Indeed, the Chairpersons of Committees have had to do extra work and behave as if they are in the Executive. You have yourself raised concern about this issue, especially when we confront our colleagues with questions that would directly go to the Executive. This arrangement is going to make things even clearer; who is in the Executive and who is in the Legislature. Of course, then, the doctrine of separation of powers and responsibilities will become even clearer. There are very many things that we will have to adjust. It is very important for us even to start thinking about appointments of these Cabinet Secretaries. If it is going to continue this way, we would like to have some amendments in future even in the Constitution so that Cabinet Secretaries are appointed from amongst elected leaders."
}