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{
    "id": 674092,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/674092/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 336,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Many of us have had the opportunity to listen to ward administrators. I remember one time when I was in my county and ward administrators from my county asked for an appointment to see me. They raised some of their concerns and I listened to them. Part of the information that they are sending out is also the concern of many Senators that are opposed to this Bill. It has to do with a particular clause in the Bill, where the sponsor of this Bill seems to be interested in “sending home” ward administrators at the end of the five-year term. If you listen to those of us who believe that at the end of a particular term--- For example, if a new governor has been elected into office, for their tenure to be successful, they need a fresh administration of people that believe in their ideals, manifesto and things that they want to achieve for a certain county. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, having said that, I know that this is the first county government of the many that we will have in this country. As we legislate, it is prudent to have a broader view to issues as opposed to what we are currently experiencing. We are hearing about the ward administrators who have been used to plan rallies by the governors or being sent to functions where the only duty they are performing is political.These are things that exist but we do not want to throw out the baby together with its bath water. We need to appreciate what we all know; that this being the first set of county governments, challenges are anticipated. Therefore, the only thing that we can do is to try and better the situation other than come up with laws that when looked at, one would realise that a dream was killed because of the misbehaviour of few individuals. The misbehaviour that we are trying to cure here is where we have seen ward administrators not living up to the dream of the drafters of the Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the drafters of the Constitution envisaged a public service in the county government that is free from the interference of the political forces there. However, we live in a world of reality. I do not want us to live in a certain ideal world than what is practical. We all know that many county government appointees, especially being the first set of county governments, there is the influence by the governors. The County Public Service Board members were appointed under the influence of the governors. To a great extent, they are controlled by the executive. As we legislate, let us imagine what we will have done especially being the first Senate. There should be a legislation that people will look at and consider it a wise legislation from the Senate during our time. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the fact that the sponsor of the Bill has set up a bar on the minimum requirements in terms of education. The county governments should borrow best practices in the national Government. If they cannot manage a small unit of about 4,000 people, then how will they manage the national public service? One of the hallmarks of a proper functioning public service is a life that is dedicated to the service of a community and not an individual or the appointing authority. There are certain ideals that we can structure in this legislation at the Committee Stage. Let us give views that will help those serving and those who will serve in future under this legislation. Let us set rules and regulations of the things that they are supposed to do. 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"
}