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"content": "I know many Senators want to contribute to this Motion, but allow me to conclude. Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to conclude. First, this is a long journey that we must walk. It is a journey that we must carry others who are like-minded together. We must, as a House, agree on the best modality and how to reach the end of this journey by ensuring that these proposals have been passed into law and be part of our Constitution. I say this with a lot of respect. If we want to have a Senate that will stay for another 100 years, if we want to have a Senate that will check the excesses of the National Assembly, if we will have a National Assembly that will check the excesses of the Senate, if we will have a Senate that will check the excesses of county governments, then we need to strengthen this law. It is not about us versus them or this versus the other. It is about all of us being enabled by law to carry out our responsibilities. I know that this requires a referendum. I know that the debate of a referendum is a political issue. However, there is nothing very difficult in a nation for people to agree on something, like the Bible says: “Come, let us reason together.” If we could meet at a table like the Senate has done and reason together, we could agree that this is the right time to pass this law or the best opportunity to strengthen this institution. Madam Temporary Speaker, I like the argument that we had in our Committee. I wish it could be imported to this Senate and exported to the public. When dealing with matters of national importance, we should not reason as the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), the Jubilee Government, tribes or religions. We should agree that it is important for us to strengthen institutions and come up with laws and mechanisms that will strengthen this House. Therefore, we are ready to engage, in a respectful manner, in a round table discussion so that we achieve the right amendments at the right time. I invite the leadership of the political parties on both sides for discussions; that is, the President, Deputy President and all the leadership in the Jubilee side and the leadership of the CORD led by the former Prime Minister and the former Vice President. We must forget about all the other political interests, agree on the national interest for this country and look at provisions of law which can be very useful in strengthening this institution. We do not want a Senate that is impotent. We do not what an institution that everybody runs away from to go to counties. I know that Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is on the way to becoming the Governor for Kakamega County. I have also heard rumours that Sen. (Prof.) Anyang'-Nyong'o will vie for governorship. I have not heard anything about Sen. Wako. I think he wants to stay here. Sen. Wako, Sen. Orengo, a few others and I may remain here. I do not see many Senators from our side who will choose to remain apart from, maybe, Sen. Haji. For those of us who will choose to remain in this House to provide leadership that is required, let us strengthen this institution so that it will continue attracting the quality legislators and public servants that will contribute towards national building. Madam Temporary Speaker, I have nothing else to add on that. I am very proud, in a small way, to contribute to this historical document and, perhaps, to get myself to the footnote of Kenya history that I was part and parcel of those who thought about how to strengthen institutions of governance, so that devolution, Parliament, institutions and our country has strong institutions that could check excesses of power. 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."
}