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{
    "id": 577992,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/577992/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 108,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mwaura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13129,
        "legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
        "slug": "isaac-mwaura"
    },
    "content": "extent the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution requires that issues to do with agriculture be devolved. Therefore, there is no way the National Assembly, as much as we have the powers to oversee the national functions of the State, can do this without consulting the Senate. That kind of consultation is very important because it sets precedent in terms of parliamentary practice, so that we can have a situation where there is concurrence. However, even if the subject matter in this case is agriculture, my concern would be that more often than not--- Sometimes if you look at the end product of a mediated version of the Bill, you will find that it is agreed by some few people, say, three or so Members on behalf of the whole House. I think there is need to interrogate this practice further because in my opinion, that is not necessarily a very democratic way. You just cannot have two or three individuals deciding on behalf of the whole lot of Parliament. We need to see to it so that we enhance such a practice. When we have this mediated version of the Bill and are discussing it here, we cannot even amend it. Our work is to only concur with the Report. Therefore, in terms of value addition, it becomes extremely difficult because this is just a matter of procedure. Whatever issues we caucus around in this Report may enrich the final Bill. The crafters of the Constitution saw it wise to do so. Sometimes they say a change is as good as a rest. Having said that, it is also good to pronounce myself on the issue that has been going on with regard to how we have a tug of war between the National Assembly and the Senate. If you look at the issues that a Bill would address, you will find that it is very difficult to process a Bill that is in itself not a money Bill. Any clause thereof may have monetary implication to the country. I do not know why those who drafted the Constitution found it wise, for lack of a better word. The Bills that emanate from the Senate need to come to the National Assembly, if they are money Bills. There is need to show some form of magnanimity on the part of the National Assembly, with regard to how we are supposed to work with the Senate. If you look at what the Constitution states with regard to our mandate and that of the Senate, you will note that the Senate would have a lot of difficulty in terms of getting work to do. Where they process Bills, it becomes extremely difficult for them to pass them because they are not money Bills. That is something that we need to do because the Senate must also remain relevant. If the Senate has canvassed on an issue like the issue of Kenya Airways (KQ), it is very important that we take it up from there instead of saying that we want to redo the whole issue just as a way of trying to show that we want to reclaim our mandate. Having said that, it is very important that this Report provides for representation of the veterinary profession. For a long time, veterinary services have not acquired the requisite stature that they deserve with regard to agriculture and animal farming. Having the Director of Veterinary Services sitting on this Board is a very welcome move. They are the same people who understand animal health and can inform in terms of the kind of foodstuffs that are available in the market. Right now as we look at our economy, this is one of the most liberalized sectors of our economy. We have very many people who move from one household to another saying that they are providing veterinary services. We also have very many shops that are selling products that are supposed to be for animal foodstuffs. It is important to note that the end user of such a process is the human being. Most of the domestic animals that we keep are consumable. This Bill is very important in the sense that if it regulates this sector of the economy, it means that we also need to interrogate whether whatever foodstuffs that animals are eating have an effect with regard to the health of human beings. Of late, there has been an increase of many 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."
}