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{
    "id": 744420,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/744420/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 98,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I would like to contribute on a number of proposals before us because most of the time we spent in ensuring that laws are put in place to fix every little thing and make procedures work in this House. However, most of the challenges that we have faced between the two Houses even when the law was so clear on what the Senate was supposed to do and on what the National Assembly was supposed to do, could be addressed without us going to court or resorting to arm-twisting. The unfortunate and the sad thing is that the dignity of the Senate and that of its Members has continuously been undermined by the National Assembly. I hope after general election, the Senate and the National Assembly will have a cordial relationship. We would like to see them working together in a very cordial manner. Most of the issues we witnessed in the last five years, were political in nature and they could have been dealt with if there was good will from both Houses. I believe if there is goodwill, then a lot of business will be transacted amicably in both Houses. It has been mentioned here that there are several Bills which were passed in this House, but they have been pending in the National Assembly for the last three years. Some of them are Members’ Private Bills. It is a pity that some Kenyans are asking us what we have been doing for the last four and half years. We have done our part and passed over the Bills to the National Assembly. It is sad we have continued to see the slow movement of Bills from one House to the other House. Yesterday we thought it is important to set time frame within which these Bill should be dealt with in either House so that they do not remain pending definitely. One of the proposals here is for the President to address the Senate. Currently, if the President were to address Parliament today, we would be required to sit in the National Assembly. This does not augur well with the reputation of the Senate and it creates certain impression to us and to the rest of the country. Hopefully after August 8th this year, I will be moving to the National Assembly. I believe if the President were to address us in this House, then that would enhance the stature and dignity of the Senate. This is because we will be debating a speech that was delivered to us in this particular House. The National Assembly will also be debating a presidential speech after the President has addressed them. This amendment is very important to both Houses. Standing Order No.159 provides that the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) also be read in the Senate. This is because the Senate is also involved in the budget process. We have to debate and pass the Division of Revenue Bill and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. Therefore, it is right and fair for the Senate to have an overall view of what the BPS contains in each financial year. When we are debating those two crucial Bills, we must do so after we have interrogated the BPS. Therefore, it will be very important that the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Finance comes to the Senate and reads it to us. That statement will be interrogated by the relevant Committee and also by Members of this House. They will have a better understanding when dealing with those two crucial Bills. One other key aspect that we looked at, which is very important for the Senate, as it continues with its role of protecting the counties and defending the interest of counties, is the consideration of the cash disbursement schedule for county governments. This will ensure the Senate continues to play its role of protecting the interests of the counties. In"
}