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{
    "id": 700852,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/700852/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 364,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "that this Senate must deal with. This is with regard to budget allocation for foreign visits based on per capita. This means that where a Senator falls in a joint committee of the National Assembly and Senate, Senators find themselves disadvantaged. I know that this is an issue that can best be canvassed in kamukunji but is important to note because if you do not get some of these foreign linkages and exposure, the mandate and work of the Senate might be curtailed. Parliamentary visits to foreign nations are part of parliamentary diplomacy which is one plank of our diplomatic policy as a nation. We must ensure that since the Senate represents the best of the 47 counties, it gets a fair and equal opportunity to undertake some of these visits which go a long way in improving our diplomatic relations with the countries that we visit. If we need to connect with the electorate--- I know as part of our representation role, Members here have different ways and methods of connecting with the electorate. There are those who open their offices for the electorate to visit. There are those who open their residences. It was in the news this week that a home of a Member of Parliament from the coast region which is suffering from drought and famine was raided by voters who ate all his food and took all his water. That could be part of representation because this Hon. Member decided to order for more supplies of flour and water and made a good meal for them, instead of chasing them away. Therefore, there are different ways of connecting with the electorate. However, it is not proper that an institution like the Senate does not have a framework for engagement with the electorate. Yes, we have frameworks on public participation but that is on Bills and laws. However, how does the Senator engage with the county assemblies, the governors, elected Members of Parliament and the voters? There are as many as 68 different ways because each Senator has a different approach. That is why this House proposed that we come up with a Monitoring and Evaluation Committee which would manage a monitoring and evaluation fund, come up with structures and certain processes that Senators can follow to ensure that our representation and oversight role is effective. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, an accusation that we all face even though unfairly - my brother Sen. Hassan has alluded to it - is the notion that Senators disappear in Nairobi, yet the Senate is in Nairobi and that is where we were elected to work from. It is political suicide to remind the electorate that they elected me to go to Nairobi. This is because they still expect - especially those of us with elaborate funeral arrangements - that we will be there with them for every funeral, fundraiser and every single activity on the ground. Our job is to come and legislate and represent in Nairobi. We need to institutionalize and resource the office of the Senator and come up with a framework for engagement between the Senator, the electorate and various stakeholders in the county. Otherwise, our job will be measured against what the governor is doing. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I pass through your county when going to my county. When I talk to young men, they tell me that they would prefer you to run for the position of governor. It is going to be difficult because they will be comparing you against the largesse of the governor which is not private largesse but the monies that we appropriate every year through the Division of Revenue Bill and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. They are using State resources to perpetuate themselves in power and 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"
}