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{
    "id": 450694,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/450694/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 305,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "July 9, 2014 SENATE DEBATES 41 Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to join my colleagues in thanking Sen. Sang and the Mediation Committee for finally coming up with this Report, in which we now see light at the end of the tunnel. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 1 of the Constitution says that all sovereign powers belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution. It goes further to say that it can be exercised through elected leaders. The Senators and Members of the National Assembly are elected leaders. By being involved in development matters in the constituencies, they are not trespassing. It is their duty. Since the Senate represents the counties, I wonder how Senators will represent the counties effectively if they have no forum with the leadership at the county level to discuss issues on which they can now effectively represent. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Constitution also talks about inclusivity and participation. The county government is not an exclusive place for the county assembly and the executive. The elected leaders at the national level also have a role to play. The County Development Board is a forum and does not, at the end of the day, make legal provisions that will supersede the role of the county assemblies. The county assemblies still have their power to make the final decisions. Currently, in many counties, there are duplications. We know that in some counties they have funds allocated to wards and the CDF is there. There is no limit and there is duplication all through. This is not healthy. There is unhealthy competition that is going on and it is only fair that whenever disputes arise we sort them out. There is no organization whether we are talking about a cattle dip, a nursery school or even big private companies that can run without a board. When governors say that they want counties to run on their own without involvement of other leaders, we wonder how they will succeed. It is important that these boards be there. It will be good for the county government and the national Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of nominated Members of this Senate, perhaps, one day we shall come back to it and look at it. It is good to consider including them as ex officio . I would personally feel comfortable to sit with my Senators and Members of National Assembly. Their jurisdiction should also be wide because they can go to any county. If one is representing the youth like Sen. Kanainza, she can go to any county to articulate issues that concern the youth. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}