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{
    "id": 491497,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/491497/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 117,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Elachi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13115,
        "legal_name": "Beatrice Elachi",
        "slug": "beatrice-elachi"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to also support this Bill knowing very well that it has been one year since we established the county assemblies. This Bill comes in to give powers and privileges to county assemblies to conduct their business without fear. However, we need to ensure that when we give these powers and privileges to county assemblies, they do not misuse them, but that they use them to ensure there is service delivery to the people. I hope the assemblies will note that the Senate appreciates what they are doing within the county governments. However, we need to emphasise on respect and discipline. The county assemblies should not use the privileges to become rogue and hide within the premises of the assembly so that they are not taken to court. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking at what happened in Makueni County, if this Bill was already law, maybe today their Majority Leader would not have been in court or the Governor would not have done as he did, to bring supporters to disrupt a meeting that was within the assembly. We are also trying to protect the institution of the assembly and not just the Members. As we give county assemblies a Bill on Powers and Privileges, we must tell them that they must respect their institutions. These are the institutions that guide us in the processes of doing our work. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also need to understand that the Senate Majority Leader referred to Article 196, if I am not wrong, to ensure that county assemblies also enjoy the privileges that other legislators in the national Government are enjoying; the Senate and the National Assembly. They are all Members. Therefore, they are there to provide oversight and to carry out legislative work. They also have a right to powers and privileges in what they do. It is important for us, as legislators, to come up with Bills that protect us. We should not go overboard or be accountable to what we are doing. This does not mean that they will go out there threatening people because they are protected by law. That will be very wrong. We also want to urge county assembly fora to educate Members to understand the Bill. The Bill does not just give powers, but expects them to obey and respect what others are doing. We hope that this will help governors to come out and start working with their county assemblies and respect one another; the executive and the county assemblies. We 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"
}