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{
    "id": 733950,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/733950/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 51,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wako",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 366,
        "legal_name": "Amos Sitswila Wako",
        "slug": "amos-wako"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the chance to second this Motion. It is a Motion to which I have a lot of attachment to if, I may say so, because my own father in 1961 became the first Clerk of the then East African Legislature. That was before Independence. Since that time I have heard a very great passion in matters relating to the East African integration. If you may recall, the former President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki appointed me to chair a meeting on how the federation must be fast -tracked. In that regard, I learnt more about the various structures of the East African community. No doubt, the East African Legislative Assembly has the potential to be a major player in moving Each Africa forward, in being the voice of the people of East Africa in matters relating to greater political, economic and social integration. Election of Members to the legislature has been marred in some controversy. If you may recall, the current Members whose term is coming to expire were the second lot to be voted for. The National Assembly had voted for the Members and that was challenged; that the method they used was contrary to the provisions of the East African Community Treaty. The challenge was successful. In fact, it was the first case that was being heard by the East African Court of Justice. Arising out of that, I, as the then Attorney General, was asked by the three Heads of State to make some amendments to the treaty which were duly made and approved by all the three countries. However, it meant that the National Assembly had to draft rules which are consistent, not only with the treaty and establishment for East African Community, but also consistent with our Constitution as it was at that time. As the Mover said, we have a new Constitution. Therefore, we need rules which are consistent with it. I have had occasion to write to the Speaker – and I hope this can be taken up in the next Parliament – that it is a high time the Senate had also a committee which deals with the East African Community affairs in the same way as the National Assembly has. A number of Bills have been passed by the EALA which affect the entire East Africa. However, when they come for approval in Kenya they are only approved at the level of the National Assembly which, to me, contradicts the current constitution. We, as the Senate, dealing with matters which touch on counties, we must also have that opportunity to interrogate the Bills that are passed by the EALA. That has not happened. I have addressed my concerns to the Speaker and I am quite sure he is looking at it. The word “Parliament” under our old Constitution meant only National Assembly. However, under the current Constitution, it is now the National Assembly and the Senate. Therefore, it is good that this matter has come to the House, so that the Senate is involved in promulgating regulations under this Act. 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"
}