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{
    "id": 64425,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/64425/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 178,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
    "speaker_title": "The Prime Minister",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 195,
        "legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
        "slug": "raila-odinga"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to focus particularly on devolution. I would like to make a brief statement on an area that I strongly feel that our country needs to start giving some serious thought to as we prepare to implement priority areas of our new Constitution. One of the highlights of our new Constitution is the provision for the devolved system of Government. The creation of the devolved Government is one of the far reaching reforms in our governance structure which if efficiently implemented, has the potential to enhance Kenya’s stability and development. Devolution means the decentralization and democratization of power, services and resources. It entails great accountability and transparency in the exercise of power. Chapter 10 of the new Constitution outlines our national aspirations with respect to devolution. They include, fostering diversity, enhanced people participation, governance, equity and greater recognition of the role of women in public affairs. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reforms envisaged under devolution will have to be implemented in a manner that is consistent and coordinated across the national Government. The transition needs to be properly planned to avoid any disruption in the provision of essential Government services. There are issues we need to start exercising our minds about if we are to make devolution a success. One of the requirements of the devolved Government is that one third of the seats in the County Assembly and one third of the positions in the County Government will have to be occupied by women. That is the law. As I travel across the country, I get the feeling that this message has not sunk down enough and very little sensitization is going on. Women have for long been relegated to the role of observers in a political game dominated by men. Kenya’s politics has over the time become very masculine and quite physical. It has also become a very expensive affair. Because of these two features, our women have largely been locked out of politics. Women supported this Constitution so wholeheartedly because it marked the beginning of their long sought liberation. It guarantees that one third of all elected or appointed posts in Government go to women. It binds political parties to pay special attention to gender parity, an obvious departure from what has been the norm. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to make an appeal for due attention to be paid to the provisions on women. I want to appeal to national and international organizations and to institutions like the Maendeleo ya Wanawake to begin the process of preparing and empowering women for the political positions where they are guaranteed certain numbers by law. I feel the time has come for our institutions and our international supporters to embark on a deliberate campaign of preparing women for the roles they have to take up, particularly in politics in the coming elections. It is my belief that women’s entry into politics, with the desired numbers, will see them make a mark in other areas of our economy and public life. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we all agree on the need to cultivate the culture of financial restraint in our counties. We need to ensure that county governments will have the capacity to manage their financial affairs. We must avoid the risk of resources being provided to counties without having the capacity and accountability mechanism to spend them responsibly and efficiently. We need a well designed and implemented public finance management system for devolved governments which preserves a substantial degree of autonomy in making physical decisions. If controls are inadequate or information quality is poor, county governments’ performance and accountability will be undermined."
}