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{
    "id": 491491,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/491491/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 111,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 170,
        "legal_name": "Bonny Khalwale",
        "slug": "bonny-khalwale"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I was at the tail end of my contribution. I have only three points remaining. The first one is on the issue of privileges. It is timely that this particular Bill will clarify the privileges that Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are entitled to. There is no better time for this. Kenyans are waiting on what this House will decide. At the moment, there are all manner of demands for privileges by MCAs to the extent that some of them want armed bodyguards and guns. From what we are now witnessing, it is clear that there are too many guns in many undisciplined hands. Members will remember what happened in Makueni County in the precincts of the County Assembly when MCAs personally, their body guards, associates or members of the public engaged in shootings. We want it to be clear whether the issue of car grants or offices should be a privilege that should be enjoyed by MCAs. This also includes the issue of mortgages. It is important that this is clear in law so that some people, who want to use the issue of car grants, offices and mortgages as carrots to dangle to MCAs, so that the noble cause of amending the Constitution of Kenya can be frustrated, may find that this has not taken place. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the debating chamber of any county assembly should be looked at as a paramount privilege. My hope is that, as the years go by, as we pass more and more money to our counties, we will make it possible for all the 47 county assemblies to have a standard model county assembly. I am aware that before the last Parliament was prorogued, architectural designs had actually been drawn. They were supposed to be the basis of constructing new county assemblies. It is my hope that this will be standardized across the board so that our counties can look the same in the Republic of Kenya. But as an interim measure, we can also save on cost. We have counties like the County Government of Kakamega which has got one of the best debating chambers in this country. Unfortunately, the office of the Governor has now moved into the offices of the county assembly and sent MCAs to the debating chamber of the former County Council of Kakamega. I hope that this matter will be made clear to my government in Kakamega so that the governor moves away from this model debating chamber that we have in Kakamega and occupies the premises that we have at the former provincial headquarters, which by the way, are very nice offices. I see no reason whatsoever why the Governor currently in 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"
}