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{
    "id": 614117,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/614117/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I second this Motion, Article 125 of the Constitution empowers both Houses of Parliament to summon any person to appear before its Committees. The words used in Article 125 are ‘any person.’ If the drafters intended to exempt governors from Article 125 and its operations, they would have stated so. Secondly, this matter has been given judicial interpretation. The Council of Governors undertook a misguided route by litigating against the appearance of governors before the Committees of the Senate. They believed that they are big; that they cannot be summoned by this House. The courts, which I thank in my remarks here, came out emphatically clear that the governors must submit themselves to the authority and jurisdiction of the Senate and its Committees. Having run out of options, two things happened: First, we have seen a number of governors who have voluntarily offered themselves for scrutiny and questioning and appearing before the Committees. For purposes of record, I commend them. Some of them have been voluntarily appearing before the Senate Committee even when the matter was pending in court while others think that the governorship is the most important thing that ever happened in the history of our country. Little do they know that governors are servants of the people in the counties and that there is nothing more dignifying than a governor committed to the rule of law. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thirdly, some other governors have resorted to a game of hide and seek. In the morning, they allege they are unwell and in the afternoon, they claim they have taken their children to school and the following day they claim other manner of things to try and escape from the scrutiny of this House and its Committees. Time has come for this Senate to stamp its authority. I thank Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale and his Committee for being steadfast, committed and focused and for refusing to be intimidated. Similarly, I thank the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who in my view as a citizen of Kenya, and as the Leader of Government Business in this House, is in the 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."
}