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{
    "id": 531360,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/531360/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 332,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "this House who support this Government, must ensure that it delivers its promises so that some areas which have faced serious challenges of drought get proper practical interventions to support them. I have a few issues to highlight. One is the composition of the Board proposed by this Bill. It is important to provide an approval mechanism that is clear. Members of this Board will be approved by both Houses of Parliament. We have seen the benefit of a joint process of approving public officers in this country. Recently, when we vetted the Inspector-General of Police, it is important to note that whereas the Senate looks at issues from the perspective of counties, the National Assembly will have its own perspective of issues. The fact that the Senate will be part and parcel of that approval process will ensure that we look at the correct composition, engage and vet some of these nominees before they are appointed to the positions and establish their competencies and understanding of the role they are supposed to play in executing their mandate in the Board. Provisions have been provided so that the NDMA will produce an annual Report that will be presented to the Minister. The Minister will cause it to be transmitted to the National Assembly. I think that is a bit of a misnomer. This House has to access these reports so that as we hold our counties to account, we ask them what practical steps they are undertaking to deal with some challenges after being given advice. It is important to note that one of the functions of the NDMA is to provide technical advice to counties on how to tackle some of these challenges. That is important. At the Third Reading, we should amend and provide proper working mechanisms to ensure that the annual report finds its way to the Senate. We should discuss it and engage with the institution so that they deliver on their mandate as provided in this Bill. The other component is to engage with the county assemblies. I know we may not give that responsibility to the Minister in charge of Devolution and Planning to cause the publication of that report to various counties. However, the responsibility can be taken up by the Senate so that once it is presented within the Senate; the Senate causes it to be transmitted to the 47 counties. Our county assemblies in this country should engage their respective county governments on some of the steps, programmes and initiatives that they should undertake to deal with issues of drought management within counties. We, as a Senate, are having a good day. We are dealing with three or four critical Bills that are geared towards ensuring that we deliver our mandate of protecting and serving the interests of counties. We have complained in this House more than once and said that we need to have some Bills transmitted to our House. We are not just asking for Bills to be transmitted to this House just because we want to participate in a process and ensure that the Senate is mainstreamed within the legislative process. However, we appreciate the fact that the Senate has a unique perspective of looking at business that is brought before it. This is justified. Looking at some of the proposed amendments that we intend to move once this Bill is committed to the Committee of the Whole at the Second and Third Reading---. We are looking at the content perspective of the county governments to ensure, as Sen. Wangari mentioned, the representations of county governments are adequately captured within this Bill. 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."
}