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    "id": 609917,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/609917/?format=api",
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    "content": "devolution right now in this country. They will give us a clear indication as to whether the CDF will be managed by county governments or national Government. It will also give guidelines on the oversight role of the Members of the National Assembly, the Senators and, indeed, the Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs). It is unfortunate that the Senate’s budget that was slashed were monies meant for oversight. The money was meant to enable this Senate to oversight and carry out our core mandate within this Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we do not want to lament, but it is important to point out to Kenyans that the reason we fought for a new constitutional dispensation was to reorganize the administration of governance in this country. That led us to reducing the powers within the presidency and sharing it among other institutions as provided for in the Constitution. We, as a country, thought it wise to have a second Chamber. We needed an “Upper House” to tame the otherwise all powerful “rogue” National Assembly that we have had in this country. I know that it will take time for certain individuals, mostly Members in the “Lower House” to appreciate that we now have a bicameral Parliament. We have a Senate which is the “Upper House” and the National Assembly which is the “Lower House”. That is not reversible. We cannot reverse the gains that Kenyans have made through the new constitutional dispensation. We now realise that maybe we do not have proper checks and balances on the National Assembly. If you look at the institutions of the Presidency and the Judiciary, there seems to be adequate checks and balances. However, the National Assembly in the exercise of its mandate on the two institutions has shown clearly that it is unable to stick to the law. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the budget making process, the National Assembly had its mandate. In the process of making the Budget, they have decided to intimidate other independent institutions; the Judiciary, the SRC and the Senate. Of late, we have seen the Members of the National Assembly attacking the Judiciary and the SRC. Over the weekend, Members of the same House were threating the Chairman of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), Mr. Charles Nyachae for raising valid concerns and issues touching on their conduct. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on several occasions, the Members of the National Assembly have spent a whole afternoon discussing county governments, governors and county assemblies in derogatory terms and in a manner to suggest that some of these institutions should be wound up. The Senate has not been spared the same wrath by Members of the National Assembly. It is time for this House and Kenyans in general to ask ourselves; whereas we have created checks and balances against the presidency, the Judiciary and other institutions, what are the checks and balances against Members of the National Assembly? This is something that we should address. If it requires any legislative framework, let us move on and do it. If it requires constitutional amendment, we should not shy away. We should engage in ensuring that we put in place the checks and balances. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Members of the National Assembly must be willing to take responsibility for their actions. One element of leadership is taking responsibility 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."
}