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{
    "id": 708476,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/708476/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 256,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "November 29, 2016 SENATE DEBATES 32 Sen. Mugo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this Motion, which I support fully. It is unfortunate that matters have come to this. I believe in the devolved governments. Senators have a key role to play in oversighting the counties, so that they can be accountable and make sure that the programmes carried out by the counties have the mandate of the people. I congratulate the Members who have been nominated to serve in this Committee. I encourage them to put more effort to reverse this very unfortunate situation. I would like to assure this House, without any fear of contradiction, that the Parliamentary Service Commission fully supports this fund. When we heard the news that the “Lower House” had annulled the regulations, every commissioner, including the ones from the “Lower House” was angry and disappointed. All commissioners agreed that Senators have a critical role to play in over sighting the counties. As a Commission, we had identified where the funds would come from. We also insisted that the money should be properly utilised because the term of the Senators is coming to an end. I encourage those who will speak for this House to speak with vigour and authority, knowing that they have the full support of the Parliamentary Service Commission. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, some of the reasons that were given to the commissioners did not carry any weight. One of the reasons was that the Nominated Members should not be given the fund. We put it to them that it is the Senators to complain about that. The “Lower House” should not complain on behalf of the Senators. I want to re-assure this House that as far as the Parliamentary Service Commission and its leadership is concerned, it is committed to this Fund. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to inform my brother, Sen. Wetangula, before he walks out that I fully agree with him that we need to amend the Constitution to give the Senate its true position and image. We can drive that change if we all agree this is what we want without taking partisan positions. We all want the Senate to get its real status. In fact, when we go benchmarking, people out there cannot understand how our Senate is not the Upper House. I would also like to remind my brother here and all those who were with me in the Tenth Parliament that the mistake came from the Tenth Parliament which we were also part of. Many people said many things that demeaned the status of this House. Therefore, we carry part of the blame. However, we can correct that image. Let us together change the Constitution. I support the amended Motion."
}