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{
    "id": 743046,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/743046/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 149,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wetangula",
    "speaker_title": "June 13, 2017 SENATE DEBATES 19 The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 210,
        "legal_name": "Moses Masika Wetangula",
        "slug": "moses-wetangula"
    },
    "content": "by Sembene Ousmane, about Mr. Bakayoko the train driver. The writer says that at one time you could not tell whether it was his heartbeat that was going to the sound of the train orthe sound of the trainthat was going to the tune of his heartbeat. We reached a level where my brother Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki leading the opposite side and myself on this side realised that we either hang together or separately; either way, we were hanging. I think we have done a good job. If you allow me just to digress a little from the Bill, the Committees of this House, particularly the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC) has done very well, the Committee on Roads and Transportation, the Standing Committee on Lands and Natural Resources have all done fantastic jobs. The only area where we have not done very well as a Senate is that we have failed many Kenyans who have sent petitions to this House which we have not prosecuted in good time as we should have done. However, I think we were overwhelmed by many things. I hope and believe that whether it is NASA or Jubilee party that is going to win the next elections, the top agenda for the legislature in this country is to redefine and redirect the legislature so that the “Upper House” becomes a real Upper House and the “Lower House” remains as that. Every Bill without exception, unless the Speakers agree, in fact, we will take away that from them, in comparable jurisdictions, a Bill from the Lower House automatically goes to the Upper House and the Upper House may note debate, reject or vary it as the case may be. That is what it should be. I think we brought the Senate in the new Constitution to be what this Senate has been where we are belittled by all manner of people who have no capacity to do anything. They have been busy calling us names and doing all manner of things. I am particularly aware of the Standing Orders, but I am completely appalled by the conduct of one Hon. (Rev.) Mutava Musyimi and that is why I always tell him that he used to be called the Right Reverend, now he is the ‘Wrong’ Reverend. His attitude towards this House has not been helpful to the growth of democracy in this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, his attitude towards the Senate and devolution does not help the spirit and letter of the new Constitution. The Senate was not created to decorate the legislature but because it is the defender, the first and last line of defence of devolution and shall remain in the Standing Orders. I wish you well and hope that in the next Senate, if these guys reject you, talk to us nicely and we will carry on with you because we are coming with a majority after elections. I beg to second."
}