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{
    "id": 554565,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/554565/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 177,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2712,
        "legal_name": "Tom Joseph Kajwang'",
        "slug": "kajwang-tom-joseph-francis"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. I rise to support the Bill. I am so humbled as I sit here and listen to the Chair of the Budget and Appropriation Committee and Member for Mbeere South. Looking at the forthrightness and the honesty with which he has prosecuted this Bill, the reasons and the historical layout that led to the establishment of the Mediation Committee--- Again, I am so humbled by the contribution of the Leader of the Majority Party. On many occasions, he scored his deserved points. Today he has scored the most bongapoints that he has ever claimed in this House. Several things have been said in support of this Bill, and I will not repeat them. However, I rise here on different principles that make me to support this Motion. The Constitution has placed a huge burden on us in the National Assembly. To me, it looks like we are the big brother that looks after everybody else in this nation. The roles that are given to us in Articles 93 and 94 are enormous. Article 95 is specific to the National Assembly; it says that we represent the people of constituencies and special interest in the National Assembly. People in constituencies include special needs the people who live in those counties. These people who have special interests also include the people who live in counties. The Article then says that we deliberate and resolve issues of concern to the people. I therefore consider that the responsibility placed on us goes beyond what we would have wished to do in accordance with Article 218 of the Constitution. As has been said by the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, and as has been espoused by the Leader of the Majority Party, in accordance with the Constitution, the Senate has completely no role in the budgeting process. This is because Article 95 (4) (a) says that the National Assembly determines allocation of national revenue between the levels of government. That is very clear as provided for in Part IV of Chapter 12. There is no sanction, or caveat, in the Constitution. Article 96, which follows 95, means that the framers of the Constitution were alive to Article 95(3) they use the same language used in Sub-Article (4), and says that the Senate will determine allocation of national revenue amongst the counties. Nothing could be clearer. I know that there has been advisory from the Supreme Court. However, today I rise to say that we came to the National Assembly to defend the Constitution. We took the oath of office to defend the Constitution. We are going to defend it. If there are any advisories, whether by the Supreme Court or any other organ, if the Constitution itself is clear, then it means we should defy any advisory that seems to have another interpretation of the Constitution; that is our constitutional responsibility. The Senate should know that, perhaps for the reasons we are going to explain here, this is the last The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}