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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us just consider, for example, why the Sang Act that was introduced here in this Senate earlier was fought. It was because of misunderstanding between this Senate and the county governments. That was the perception whether real or perceived. If these Senators are not adequately facilitated, we are silently introducing apathy amongst the Senators. We may not get the kind of collection of brains, experience and brilliance that we see in this Senate in 2017. We cannot expect this Senate and individual Senators to continue allocating more funds to the counties, but not give them the structures of oversight. At the end of the day, we must know how this money is expended in the county governments. When we introduce apathy in the Senate, eventually we are killing the Senate. When we kill the Senate, by extension we are killing devolution because any system that is not properly supported eventually dies, naturally or otherwise. Anybody who appreciates the provisions of this Constitution and devolution must start by appreciating the Senate and the role that each individual Senator and collectively as the Senate play. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if anybody studies the first Senate of this country and why it was eventually by consensus abolished, then you will see similarities. We are slowly retrogressing and beginning to follow that same path. However, even as I support this Bill, let us research and consider more about the proposed committee. We must research more on its constitution, who chairs it, its mandate and how it will relate to the already existing commission so that we do not also create unnecessary challenges. The law of the jungle is very clear. We are told that the rabbit is one of the most intelligent animals. However, we cannot expect it to oversight an elephant. That is what is being created here. With all due respect, however intelligent and enterprising we are, without facilitation, we will go back to our counties and see the elephant trampling on everything, every greenery, destroying the environment and we do nothing. Let us not take that route. If want the jungle to be well over sighted by lion, then we must have a lion with teeth and ability to do so. Even as it lies down, all the other animals know that when it rises, it will do something. We are passionately asking that the Government and this nation consider and not trivialize this Bill to mean that Senators are looking for additional funding or salary. No, far from it. In fact, that facilitation can as well be structured in such a way and format that the Senator plays no role, but provided he has the funding. For example, consider the nominated Senators who sit in this Senate. We have Senators who represent those living with disability. Their constituency is national. They need to know what is happening to the disabled in Turkana, Lamu and everywhere else. When we do not facilitate them, then it is a representation that is not effective. We must allow them the kind of facilitation and funding that can allow them to visit any part of the country, hospital and institutions to find out that those institutions are compliant. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also have women Senators here representing the very big constituency of the more than 52 per cent of this population. We, as women Senators, we do not have a specific constituency because we are representing the interests of women in relation to gender issues. For example, for you to do that effectively, you must research and have all the data concerning whatever is happening in ministries, gender mainstreaming, gender friendly budgetary process and all matters that affect the 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."
}