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{
    "id": 592383,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/592383/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 165,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "those recommendations is that for money Bills, it should start from the other House. Otherwise, we are saying that this House should look at all the legislations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the third area of importance is safeguarding devolution. This is something that all Kenyans today, wherever they are, are voting 100 per cent in any of the opinion polls. The single most important thing they all agree is the need to strengthen devolution. These recommendations go a long way in strengthening every institution that is associated with devolution, including and starting from the Senate. The reason why we are saying that we must enhance the role and powers of the Senate is ultimately aimed at strengthening devolution. We have also looked at other institutions like the county assemblies, the institutions of the governors so that all the institutions are entrenched in the Constitution so much so that no future government can undermine the role of these institutions in devolution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards the resources, we have also addressed that issue when we insisted in this recommendation that we must raise the threshold on allocation of revenue to the county governments to 40 per cent. This is critical. There is no way we can ensure equitable development in this country. One of the challenges we have had in this country is inequality more than even poverty. We cannot address that unless we look at the issue of resource allocation. Oversight has also been addressed. Those who are saying Senators should not be given the responsibility of oversight are the same ones who have been undermining the institution of the Senate whether it is in resource allocation or in terms of their powers. In the recommendations we have made here, one thing we have ensured is clarity in the oversight role of the Senate so that it is in black and white what the oversight mandate of the Senate is. This has been made clear so that there is no room for ambiguity. That oversight is not limited to counties. As an institution in a bicameral system, we have a mandate to oversee what happens in other institutions at national level. That clarity is provided for. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to emphasize one point with regard to oversight. About Kshs283 billion out of the Kshs2.2 trillion expenditure is what goes to the counties. The Kshs2 trillion that remains at National Government, the level and quality of oversight in this eleventh parliament by the National Assembly is so wanting. I have just explained how the country has gone into a high level of debt that has literally made us to go on our knees because of lack of oversight by our institution. This is why it is important to look at the recommendations that we have made here. Without taking away the powers of the National Assembly, we have created a balance that will ensure that they have the role but at the same time the Senate will also have checks and balances. One of this is embodied clearly in the appointments. We have said appointments or institutions that relate to the formation of Government shall be done by the National Assembly so that they can vet the judges, Cabinet Secretaries others. When it comes to oversight, those institutions that deal with oversight, like the Inspector General (IG), the Central Bank of Kenya and collateral institutions, offices with security of tenure and all similar oversight offices should be vetted by the Senate. This is important because their oversight mandate affects performance in counties. The person who is appointed as the Auditor-General and the Controller of Budget determines what will happen or the quality of performance of work by the county governments. It is important that those oversight institutions are vetted by the Senate because they affect 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."
}