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{
    "id": 665709,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/665709/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "implementation of constitutional promises that will entrench Senate to its rightful role in our constitutional architecture. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Senate’s role will only be entrenched by befriending the rule of law and making it an ally; not by competing with other Government organs to find innovative and intransigent ways to disobey court orders. As a new crown institution in Kenya, the Senate must not allow itself to act like a toddler seeking to learn from the old hands. I get this impression from the fact that while the Constitution is clear that Kenya is a bicameral legislative body, the Senate appears to be treated, whether in the media or other political circles, as the backward chamber of the legislative functions. The Constitution is clear that Parliament consists of the Senate and the National Assembly, yet too frequently it is the Members of the latter who are referred to as the MPs. While the Constitution does not seek to establish a hierarchy or seek to keep the National Assembly and the Senate in supremacy battles, it is important that the Senate should claim its space within the constitutional architecture as a Chamber of legislation and part of Parliament itself. This is no less important in the endeavour to implement the Constitution as intended. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Constitution and our history place in the Senate a monumental challenge irrespective of the age of the institution within Kenya. I urge you to reflect on the fact that on the average, a person gets to sit in this Senate by virtue of representation of a wider scope of space and large number of voters in comparison to other legislative houses. You must take this as the signal from the Constitution that you as Senators represent more than just political, regional or even parochial ethnic or religious interests. Indeed, take the history from Senators worldwide and you will understand that a Senator is not merely a politician. Senators are called to be statesmen and women."
}