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{
    "id": 497817,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497817/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Murkomen",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kshs22 million multiplied by almost 50 counties translates to over Kshs1 billion. A billion shillings is more than the development expenditure of Elgeyo-Marakwet County and Lamu County combined in a whole year. Those resources are available for the CoGs to use the way they want. That is why they are able to get the right lawyer who will get them the right judge for them to make the right decision. This House has been accused of being unable to be represented in court, but to hire a lawyer to go to court requires money. This Senate alone, we have been informed that there are over 100 cases in various courts in the Republic of Kenya where Parliament has been served and where this Senate requires representation. Shall this Senate perform the function given in Article 96 and 217, Chapter Six of the Constitution or shall we be a Senate working to be represented in court? Therefore, this issue must not be cheapened. The seriousness of the attack on the Senate is something closer to the first Senate of the Republic of Kenya from 1963to 1969. First of all, it is said that the Senate is useless and has no responsibility. Today, we have just come as a Committee from discussing the future formula that will be used for three years. The Constitution, in Article 217 says that that formula belongs to the Senate. We are not a useless House. We know our responsibilities. Even a lay person who has not gone to a school of law can see the powers of the Senate in the Constitution. Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, what this committee will do is to think innovatively of how then we shall be able to continue dealing with the judges that are not seeing? In the Bible, Jesus said that they have eyes, but they do not see. How will this committee work with those other many judges about 80 per cent of them who have eyes and see? How shall we work with them to ensure that the other 20 per cent can respect the institution of the Senate? I dare say that when I think somewhere in my heart; I always respect my intuition. I think the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya who is the President of the Supreme Court is with the Senate. He appreciates because if those people do not appreciate, then the Senate will have to find a way that we can communicate that information to other stakeholders. It is also important for the governors to appreciate that what Senate is doing is to assist them to do well. If you put them in a corner to account for the money and to prudently use the money, the persons who take the glory are finally the governors. Senate is complimenting their responsibilities. We are not attacking them; we are assisting them. It is also suspect that the challenge against Parliament is only targeting the Senate and not the National Assembly. Could it be because this Senate does not allocate money to the Judiciary? 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."
}