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{
    "id": 591471,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/591471/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 194,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "we had this Constitution. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is one of them and he said he has done a lot to ensure we have this Constitution. It came to my mind that it was probably because he was in the other House, and did not foresee himself coming to the Senate. He did not make sure that there was a very strong Senate, probably even as an Upper House while they were in Naivasha. It is good to note that our distinguished Senators have realized that we should make changes and laws for posterity regardless of where we stand or our current position even as we move forward. Madam Speaker, it is clear now that some of the Senators will even go for governorship. If they really wanted a weaker Senate so that the continuous mismanagement, misappropriation and everything that is happening in some of our counties continues, then even Senators who are here who want to go for governorship would definitely not want a strong Senate. Therefore, I commend my colleagues for the enthusiasm that they have shown to ensure that we strengthen the institution of the Senate. Madam Speaker, we know that devolution was one of the key things that many Kenyans were so eager to see, so that we could have the whole issue of representation coming down. We have the whole issue of resources coming down to the people, and that is one of the key things that Kenyans valued in the Constitution that we have amongst very important chapters that we have in our Constitution. Madam Temporary Speaker, it would have been better if we had the goodwill. That is what we have been lacking for a long time. We could have even continued for another 10 years before thinking about amending the Constitution. However, since we got the bicameral system and got devolved system of governance, we have continued to witness lack of goodwill that we are now forced as a House to ensure that we entrench what we want to see in the law. Remember when it was said that the role of the Senate is not very clear and that our roles were not clear. That is the kind of conversation that came up from time to time. It is unfortunate that even right now, it is clear what each House of Parliament does. However, there is always mischief in individuals and Members of the National Assembly who always say that the role of the Senate is not clear. Right now, we are making our roles clear and strengthening the Senate. Some Members of the National Assembly were of the opinion that there was no need for the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. How would we conduct business in this House without them? We have had to deal with the mischief that was hidden when we were coming up with the Constitution. Those are some of the issues that we want to rectify through the amendments proposed by the Select Committee. Madam Temporary Speaker, we also have to look at the whole issue of revenue that goes to the counties. It has been a contested issue on what percentage should go to the counties. We, as a Committee, agreed on 40 per cent of the national resources. This will be an issue of debate. However, we all agree that we need more resources to go to the counties notwithstanding the corruption that is there. It is not an excuse for us to deny the people an opportunity to get more resources and have services delivered to them. Therefore, we need to strengthen our oversight role as more resources go to the counties. The people of Kenya in different parts of the country must continue to enjoy the fruits of devolution. 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."
}