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{
    "id": 713008,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/713008/?format=api",
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    "content": "devolution and protecting the rights and interests of the citizens of Kericho County who elected me. As we head to this sessional break, we do it knowing there are many things that we have learnt in this House. I only wish that the relevant authorities could take time to listen to the experience Senators have especially in matters of devolution and the challenges that our county governments are facing. We sit in committees every day and I have specific experience because I sit in the Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget where petitions are filed every week from different counties. We get to read and see the rot in the counties and the challenges that devolution is facing at this very nascent period of its existence. As a Senator, you then realise that there is only so much that you can do. We can come to this House and speak as much as we can. Unfortunately, if there is no goodwill from other leaders and sectors of Government, including the Executive – since they are the ones who give direction –we cannot do much. I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that if the Executive, deep down in its heart, felt that there was reason to strengthen the Senate so that we can stop the looting in counties, they have the capacity to do so. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we know how the National Assembly that we continue to blame every now and then responds. We have also seen from past experiences how they have made about-turns on issues that perhaps, in principle, they did not agree with. However, because of the respect or maybe otherwise, that they have for the Executive, they have had to make certain concessions. One wonders what is so difficult with this issue of oversight. For example, the issue of the oversight fund that we have discussed for so long in this House should not be misconstrued at one moment to believe that we are looking for this fund to enrich ourselves. I look at the calibre of leaders that are in this House. Some of them have had the opportunity to oversee funds that are 100 times larger than the amounts that we are overseeing. Maybe some of us can be suspected because we are still young – you know with being young comes being broke - people can imagine other things. However, there are people like Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo who served as a Cabinet Secretary (CS) and oversaw a very integral Ministry. When he asks for Kshs17 million to Kshs20 million so that he can go around West Pokot County, this is so that he ensures that the money allocated to his county is used for the needs of the residents of West Pokot County. Unfortunately, he is not being given this money. One wonders why it is so difficult and why people do not want to live by such realities of our time. Devolution is real and we cannot gainsay it. Residents of this country have felt it. If there is a game changer that has happened in this county in the last 50 years of its existence, it is devolution. This House, as the first line of defense of devolution, deserves more respect than it gets. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not want to lament, but appreciate the kind of work that has been done during this particular period. The debates that I have witnessed here have been extremely enlightening to me as a young leader. I listened to the nuggets of wisdom that the experienced leaders drop here each and every afternoon that we have gathered and it has been a fulfilling experience. 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"
}