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{
    "id": 704375,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/704375/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 273,
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    "content": "down devolution and touches on the lives of Kenyans. As the custodian of devolution, I cannot allow us to pass such an amendment to the Constitution that aims at bringing down devolution. The Equalisation Fund aims at bringing equality and improving the lives of Kenyans who have been marginalised for the last 50 years. For example, I was in Turkana County in 2011. The first question that people asked me is: How is Kenya? That was a clear indication that some parts of this country are looked at as if they are not part of Kenya simply because of marginalisation. The Equalisation Fund aims at giving quality services to all Kenyans. As a legislator representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) – I think when I use an example of Turkana County amongst other counties that have bad terrain – accessibility is a problem. I remember when I went to Turkana County and had a forum with PWDs, they could not use wheelchairs because of the terrain. If we had such a fund, the people of my category and the group that I represent here would easily access the basic services. As I oppose this Bill, we should not allow passing or debating Motions that will bring down the socio-economic pillar of Kenyans. This is violating the rights and the human rights aspect of Kenyans. We, as Senators, should not allow violation of the Constitution. We should not allow people in the counties to suffer by bringing amendments that will make them face a lot of challenges. As we work on the teething problems in the implementation of the Constitution, we must be careful with the laws that we enact and the amendments that we make. The best option is for us, as the Senate, is not to debate and approve such an amendment because history will judge us harshly. We represent the people who trust and believe in us. They have entrusted us to pass Bills and Motions that will improve their lives. Madam Temporary Speaker, we sometimes fail because of bias and end up failing the people we represent. We have the Members of National Assembly who represent the affected constituencies. I want to believe that they never voted for this amendment. If they did, then they failed in their role of representing the people who elected them. If a Member from a marginalised area can forget the people he or she represents, that is lack of respect to the electorate. That is not being accountable for the roles that they elected them to perform on their behalf. With those remarks, I join my fellow Senators who have stood firmly and opposed the amendment and the Bill. Thank you."
}