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{
    "id": 552742,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/552742/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 66,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wakhungu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this Motion. First, I want to thank the Mediation Committee for coming up with informed resolutions. In the spirit of teamwork and mediation, it is not just about going to the Mediation Committee and you stick to your stand. Mediation is supposed to be a win- win, or a give and take, arrangement. I thank both the Members of the National Assembly and the Senators for coming up with this agreeable way forward. Hon. Deputy Speaker, looking at those amendments, particularly the one on representation of the Council of Governors (CoG) at the expense of the Attorney- General--- When you look at the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, some of the functions at the county level--- It is important for Governors and Senators to also understand that policy development is still at the national level. It does not mean that when a function has been devolved a county government has all the powers. It is, indeed, important that if we realise this, we will avoid the issue of having mediations now and then. We should see how we can amend our Standing Orders, especially when it comes to these constitutional timeframe Bills, so that we do not waste so much time. It is like everything has to go to the Senate. Once it goes to the Senate, we have amendments and we have to go to a mediation committee. Indeed, it is a waste of time and resources. Maybe we should look for a way for the two committees to come together. I can give the example of how the Inspector-General of Police (IG) was vetted; it took a short time. It was the time we had Members from the Senate and the National Assembly sitting together. We can save on time. In future, we need to look at the Standing Orders and see how we can work together for purposes of moving forward together and shortening timeframes. When you look at the amendments on civil society representation--- I want the Chair to listen because the civil society plays a very critical role when it comes to environmental matters. There is so much donor funding coming to this country that helps in environmental matters. However, it is a big concern when you remove the representation of the civil society in favour of somebody from the CoG. Matters of the environment have been in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Even the MDGs that are yet to be launched, matters of the environment are critical. When it comes to the issue of the MDGs, the civil society plays a critical role. So, it was not proper for us to delete the representation of the civil society and say that there is no clear framework of nominating these people. The National Governing Council of NGOs has a clear framework on how to nominate people. Civil society groups are categorised. We have civil society organisations for education, healthcare and environmental matters. So, for the Chair to come and tell us that the reason was that there was no clear framework for nominating a person from the civil society was misleading this House. However, for purposes of the constitutional timeframe, I support. Thank you."
}