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{
    "id": 592388,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/592388/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 170,
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    "content": "we should be able to go through. Sen. Billow has stated the situation facing this country and has painted a very gloomy picture of the economic crisis which we might be facing at the moment. He has used that as a reason why, as the Senate, we should be involved in the budget-making processes. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, apart from economic problems, this country is also facing many problems including insecurity. I commend this Committee especially on the method it adopted in tackling this issue. That is the same method the country should adopt in tackling this grave crisis that we are facing at a point in time when we are facing elections. That is the way to go. Therefore, I support the appeal by both the Mover and the Seconder of this Motion that the political leadership of this country both in Government and in Opposition to come together. I will also take into account that there have been a number of initiatives in amending the Constitution. We have the Okoa Kenya Initiative, the governors’ initiative and we might also have county speakers. It may very well be that as a way forward, we should look carefully at the issues because some of the issues proposed for amendment here, the governors and the county speakers are also interested in. The Okoa Initiative has many other proposals which are not part of this but it may very well that in order to move forward in a non-partisan way and bring the entire country moving together, we may consider the most important amendments and proceed in a non-partisan way on those non-partisan amendments. This means that we need an environment in which a constructive dialogue can take place between the Government, CORD and all other stakeholders to agree that these amendments are necessary. Indeed, the proposals that have been made are proposals which everyone feels that they should be there. With that agreement, we can move forward together and we would clear the argument that we cannot have a referendum now because that would be a rehearsal for the actual election. That is an arguments that I have heard being mention, and since we are in a political situation, if that argument comes forward, we may not push this good amendments through. That is why my strong plea is whether we can carry out this matter forward in a non- partisan and non-political way together as nation, because these are amendments which we all agree are necessary to underpin the Constitution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, coming to the actual amendments regarding the role of Parliament; in the last two years, both Houses of Parliament have wasted a lot of time and energy arguing on irreverent issue such as which House is superior, all because the Senate appeared to have been limited to discussing matters concerning counties. Matters concerning counties had a narrow and broad interpretation. I am glad that the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court was for the broad interpretation more saying that; there can be no Bill which does not concern counties. Being in a situation in which we were at that time and with the law as it is, the problem was not a solved, because of those who believe that the Senate must be restricted and limited in the type of legislation that they discus and enact. That is why I am in a total agreement with what has been said here that we must discuss all Bills so that we do not waste a lot of time and energy on irrelevancies. We then know that all Bills from the National Assembly will come here and that all Bills originating from here will also go to the National Assembly and afterwards be presented to the President by both Speakers. The problem with our current Constitution is that they gave the Senate powers over counties when they use the word “concerning counties on legislations and matters concerning counties” as the report says in paragraph 25:- 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."
}