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{
    "id": 674810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/674810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 156,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Waiganjo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2644,
        "legal_name": "John Muriithi Waiganjo",
        "slug": "john-muriithi-waiganjo"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much. I was submitting that when the members of the county assemblies sit in their committees, they should know those committees are like this plenary. They also need to know that those committees have powers of the High Court and that they can summon members of the executive to come before them and make their submissions. Without this law, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the operations of MCAs because they do not have a guide. They do not have a legal framework like we do. This is a law that is crucial. It is very important we pass it. It has very clear and good provisions. When we are doing the kind of job that we do, there are chances that members of the public would take issue of a debate of the plenary of the county assembly. They may decide to take legal action against a specific MCA and take him or her to court. That is quite disruptive. When you are doing public duty and debating, you know an assembly is a house of debate. You cannot be restricted on what you say because of fear of litigation. You can be limited in the manner you conduct yourself in that specific assembly, but you cannot be gagged by the fear of litigation. It is an important Bill. It does not mean that MCAs can run rogue or commit criminal offences and not attract criminal charges. What it does is to cushion them against the liability when they are conducting the functions of the MCAs. For instance, if an MCA commits a crime like robbery, they cannot rely on the County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Bill. It is just like the way we do it here. But, they cannot be arrested within the precincts of the assembly. We are trying to have a clear separation of powers as they enjoy the powers bestowed upon them by the Constitution. With this piece of legislation, they will operate in a very good The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}