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{
    "id": 560383,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/560383/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 208,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Hassan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 431,
        "legal_name": "Hassan Omar Hassan Sarai",
        "slug": "hassan-omar-hassan-sarai"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to speak to this important Motion. When a Motion on this issue was tabled in the Senate last week on Monday, unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to be here, because I had travelled with some of my colleagues to Wajir County. We visited Wajir County which exhibited enormous developments based on the fact that devolution had arrived in that county. Kenyans are unequivocal, not in contradiction and are clear that the institution that is meant and charged with the responsibility of protecting devolution is the Senate. Since this great idea needs a guardian angel, it is obvious that if you tasked me to guard the Central Bank of Kenya, you would not give me a simple rungu . You would probably facilitate me with a little more ammunition. Right now, we are trying to get to that point where we can guard devolution effectively. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think that there is unanimity that this Constitution was eroded because at that point when it was being negotiated, the National Assembly sat in court in a process where they were able to make a determination as to the kind of powers that were eventually passed to the Senate, to weaken the institution so much so that they can today step over some of the recommendations that are intended to safeguard devolution. Although in my assessment, this is the last opportunity that we have. We have spoken about strengthening the Senate so many a times. We spoke this language in 2013, after the court proclaimed itself in terms of the advisory opinion and after Bills were passed by the National Assembly where we thought of setting up a Committee to look at the constitutionality of these Bills and seek annulment. We have spoken about these issues time and again when the National Assembly appears to have ignored the input of the Senate or not acted in the best interest of devolution. In my assessment, this is the final opportunity that we have and that is why even as we debate this Motion, my faith is bruised but not lost. This is because I believe that we always have the issue of redemption. At least, if the Lord can forgive us, then who are 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."
}