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{
    "id": 704310,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/704310/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 208,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2559,
        "legal_name": "Stephen Muriuki Ngare",
        "slug": "stephen-muriuki-ngare"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this issue is very crucial to the life and image of this House. However, having said that, let us be realistic. The issue is not just a Bill which was passed by this House and got stuck in the other House or it has not been consented to yet. The law is much wider. When we passed the new Constitution in our own goodwill as Kenyans, we separated the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. It was in word before but now it is there in reality. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before, MPs were not independent. There was the appendage that someone could remember you and appoint you as Minister or an Assistant Minister. What has happened is that in the Constitution, we thought the powers and also the economy of it would also be separated fully. Now that that it is not the case, the Executive is even more powerful than it was before which was not what we intended. As a result, our Senate Majority Leader will not have the courage to do what we want done. This House has been going to the High Court to ensure there is constitutionality and there is nothing to prevent us from doing it now. It is only that we are just being timid. We need a driver. As far as I am concerned, if the leadership of the House, especially the Senate Majority Leader, does not raise the flag on our behalf, then I do not know who else will do it on our behalf as the Senate Majority Leader has said. So, let us take courage and do what is supposed to be done, which is to ensure that we are heard. Ministries still get money which was supposed to be devolved. That means instead of you going to your governor or your county government to do things, you still go to the Executive. It makes the Executive even much more powerful such that you do not want to appear being anti or against or having reservations or issues with the Executive. This is where the issue is. I would urge Members of this House to stand up and be counted and make sure that the Constitution is adhered to. It is failing because we have failed to ensure we guard it."
}