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{
    "id": 755900,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/755900/?format=api",
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    "content": "I also want to humbly thank the great people of Marsabit County for giving me this opportunity to serve them for a second term in the Senate of Kenya. It is not lost on me the confidence they have in me. I will do to the best of my ability in serving them to make sure that I meet their aspirations. It is also my sincere hope that the second Marsabit County Government will go a long way in meeting the needs of the people of Marsabit County especially in terms of water, health and livestock. I hope this one will be better off in service delivery. I would like to let my fellow Senators to know that we have a lot to do especially for this Senate because Article 96 states that we need to represent, legislate and oversight the counties. From the experience I had in the previous Senate, we need to do a lot of legislation to strengthen our oversight role and establish the necessary legislation which connects the Senate directly to the counties and county assemblies so that we perform the oversight role in an orderly manner, better than we used to. We had to summon governors some of whom went to court to resist the summonses. That needs to be streamlined in legislations which will enable the direct connection between the Senate and the counties. We also had a problem of facilitation of Senators to perform the oversight role. I hope this Senate will put its mind to that and make sure that the necessary framework is developed so that we do not just sit here. We need to be facilitated to have offices and the necessary staff to go to the counties and see what is being done there instead of just waiting for the auditors’ reports here. We also need to enhance devolution by making sure that we improve resource allocation to the counties because that is one area we need to fight for the counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, coming to the President’s Speech, as my colleagues have said, it is very clear; Article 132(1)(a) of the Constitution requires the President should address the opening of a new Parliament and that is exactly what he did yesterday. My colleagues have argued that the President is in office serving the previous term because the 2017 elections were declared null and void. Even if, for arguments sake, it was temporary incumbency, still the opening of Parliament does not fall under powers which are restricted. He still has powers under the Constitution to open the Parliament. Our colleagues might have been misadvised not to attend the opening session. I think the Speech made by the President was candid. He clearly thanked Kenyans for having expressed their will in a mature and patient manner while exercising their sovereign will during the elections. Kenyans did that and to my understanding, it was one of the most peaceful elections. He also reminded us leaders that we practice that sovereign will of Kenyans who have an urgent need for governance, service delivery, peace and security and prosperity. The President also clearly indicated that Kenyans voted and they expect better livelihoods, access to good health, a more promising future for the children, decent jobs for all those willing to work and security. We need to take that will which we are exercising on their behalf very seriously and make sure that we meet the aspirations of the Kenyans. I would like to agree with the President that Kenyans are making progress democratically especially in the way they elect their leaders. For the first time, we have women leaders as governors. I am sure they will have to prove themselves by service delivery to Kenyans. We also have elected women and youth in the Senate, the National"
}