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{
    "id": 781459,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/781459/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 283,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Assumption of Office of the County Governor Bill also talks about the same. Clause32(c) of the County Governments (Amendment) talks about a vacancy in the office of the County Governor and his deputy and Clause13 of the Assumption of Office of the County Governor also talks about the same thing. As we refer to these Bills to the relevant committees, we need to check on these similarities so that we do not duplicate one or the other. I, therefore, urge the Mover to consider looking at both Bills because there are so many similarities. In some areas, we are providing for the same thing in both Bills. We can either merge or find a way not to duplicate these particular aspects of the county government. Be that as it may, I wish to make my comments. The County Governments (Amendment) Bill will help us realise the intentions of devolution. It is meant for the smooth running of the counties, which is what we all want to see. We are trying to mirror the county assemblies’ operations with that of the national Parliament. Once offices are vacant, this Bill is providing when the sitting can start, when it can be gazetted and within how many days. What kind of ceremony to hold before assumption of the office. We have always done that in the national Parliament. This is not a bad idea because the county assemblies, in their own rights, are also assemblies. Therefore, trying to mirror their sittings with ours in terms of operations and administration is a good thing to do. I have looked through the amendments, they are addressing challenges that we have experienced so far. Devolution is good for this country. However, it has some teething problems which these amendments will address as we implement devolution. I like its content because we are proposing the finer details that could otherwise bring conflict. Imagine if you were to be voted to go to a county assembly where there are no laws stating when its first sittings will commence, how to start it and where the venue is. This Bill gives details for county assemblies to have a smooth running. On the issue of allowing the assemblies to develop their own symbols by public participation is a good idea. You can imagine, I am from Kajiado County and I do not know its symbols and what we stand for as a county. Probably, one would want to have a shield and another one would want to have a spear. Mostly, this is culturally based. In Masaai land, you will find that you will have something to do with beadings, a shield or a sword. This is a way of creating ownership and a feeling that this is your county. Therefore, this proposal is good so that we differentiate one county form another. You can imagine if Kajiado’s is a shield and Nandi County’s is also a shield, it will be problematic to our people. We have different cultures and symbols, but we are one nation. To me, this promotes culture, patriotism and a sense of ownership. This Bill provides for these symbols to be submitted to the college of arms so that when they register and attach a particular symbol to a particular county, then that symbol will not be availed to another county. That is like what we do at the Companies Registry where you reserve a name. Once that name has been reserved, another company cannot be registered under it. It cannot be shared. This will also iron out any conflicts when it comes to ownership of these symbols. The Bill also provides for the procedure for the removal of the Speaker. The two- thirds threshold that has been given is so high. We need not to make it easy for anybody 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."
}