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{
    "id": 549406,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/549406/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "think that the PSC has been doing nothing about it. All the issues that have raised here by Members; that representing a county is not the same as representing a constituency, that matter has been hammered to the SRC, in fact, as late as last week. We went to the as PSC and met the SRC and those are some of the main issues that we discussed. The fact that a Senator represents a county with many sub counties or constituencies is a matter that has been laid to bare before the SRC. However, so far, we have not been able to succeed. For example, on mileage, a Senator or a Member of the National Assembly is supposed to claim it on distance covered from Nairobi to your house. You wonder when you reach the house and you have been paid your mileage, how you move to the rest of the areas that you have to cover? These are the issues that we have raised time and again in writing to the SRC. However, we are waiting for their latest response that they said they will bring in two weeks’ time. I want Senators to know and appreciate that their PSC has not gone to slumber as one distinguished Senator said yesterday. Recently there were revisions of per diems where the Senators’ as well as the Member of the National Assembly’s were slashed by almost 50 per cent. Recently we had an experience with Members of the National Assembly and some Senators who went to Washington, during the World Bank meeting, but could not afford to stay in Washington because of the costs. They had to travel by train to Maryland in order to get a hotel that they could afford according to the per diem they are given today. In fact, one of the Members of the National Assembly fell and is now nursing a serious wound on his knee. If a Member of a distinguished House like the Senate or the National Assembly goes to a conference and he has to look for some substandard accommodation somewhere and yet he is representing Kenya as a nation. These matters were again executed last week to the PSC. We even took this Member to the Serem Commission to show the wound. I want to confirm here that despite all the negative statements that are being made about the PSC, I would like to confirm that it is working round the clock doing all it can to ensure that Members of National Assembly and the Senate are facilitated. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, admittedly when we started proceedings in the PSC, there were voices which tended to suggest what Members are saying now, that this is the Senate and this is the National Assembly. I want to confirm that over the two years that we have been in the PSC, the three Senators with the support of some Members of the National Assembly, we have managed to moderate the PSC to the extent that we are now speaking one language and not as Senators or National Assembly Members. This is why we have successfully, in collaboration with the leadership of the Senate, managed to secure Kshs1 billion during the next financial year for the oversight by the Senators of the counties as it is stipulated in the Constitution. I know that the money may be inadequate, but it is a start. I can see in future the PSC achieving more. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reason I support this is because it is supplementing the PSC. Members of the PSC according to this Bill, will also be members of this committee. That way, we will be able to put energy together to provide services. I wanted us to ensure that we leave the past behind. The past is going. We are now a cohesive PSC serving the institution of Parliament pretty aware of the responsibilities of Senators and the responsibilities of the National Assembly. We have made a lot of progress. 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."
}