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{
    "id": 757306,
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    "content": "therefore, should ensure that we build capacity and increase the operationalization of such positions to ensure that the mandate as envisaged in the Constitution individually for us Senators and the various interest groups but also wholly as the House of Senate are achieved. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also note that when one group makes progress, other groups also make progress. Our women are slowly showing that it is possible for them to go out there, compete with fellow men and be elected. I particularly note my good friend, Sen. Dullo, with whom we have known each other for quite some time now. It was quite a pleasure to see her elected the Senator for Isiolo County. I believe these strong women are sending strong messages to young girls; that it is possible for them to contest any position in the country and be elected. Some of us came to Parliament when we were very young and we were wondering whether this profession or career was only meant for older people. There is always that danger when a young person commits himself to public service, especially politics because it is highly competitive, resource intensive and a risky endeavour with no guarantees. In fact, as it is always said, in politics, there is no number two. Mr. Speaker, Sir, every time young people are elected to political positions as the President said, Kenyans have high expectations that they would participate in the execution of public policy, oversight of public resources and be involved in job creation. Hon. Senators will agree with me that we are inundated with very many requests for job opportunities from the people we represent here. It is incumbent upon us to use this opportunity to serve in the second Senate and ensure that we put in place measures to achieve the same for our people. Indeed, there exist a lot of opportunities in devolution that will open up markets for our people to sell their produce and fight poverty. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at this point in time, we stand at the helm of history. The second Senate is expected to be more assertive and to have a better relationship with the National Assembly. As fate would have it and we can call it an exchange programme because a number of Senators who were serving in the first Senate are now in the National Assembly. Some of us have come to the Senate from the National Assembly. As the President said in his speech, we will use this opportunity to ensure that we prioritise the needs and aspirations of Kenyans. We will be able to pass legislation that speaks to the common needs of Wanjiku down there in the village. In my capacity as a Senator representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the Jubilee party, first, I envisioned a situation where counties will pass legislations which will cater for PWDs. Secondly, they will demonstrate how far they have implemented Article 54 of the Constitution on 5 per cent quota of employment for PWDs. Thirdly, they will be able to set aside funds in their budgets specifically for PWDs. We will also do the same when considering the County Allocation of Revenue Bills in this House. Finally, they will come up with robust programmes that reach out to PWDs to ensure these marginalized groups of people are fully included in society so that they can exercise their rights and mandates as Kenyans. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are going into fresh elections. I believe that we will be called upon to interrogate electoral laws that will ensure that the saboteurs of credible elections, especially those who would want to bungle elections for their own selfish ends, do not"
}