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{
    "id": 799243,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/799243/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 148,
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    "content": "and Busia counties, some were just appreciated by the fact that we had met when we were doing the netball games and that we were meeting for more engagements. They felt more at home because of having engaged with us during the games. Madam Temporary Speaker, the purpose of that county visit as the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation, was particularly to meet our counterpart committee on delegated legislation. However, when we arrived, in some areas, one would find that we were not discussing delegated legislation but a lot of other issues that MCAs wanted the Senate to handle. Madam Temporary Speaker, the issue of the “handshake” came up. The MCAs wanted to know our opinion yet we were supposed to have been doing delegated legislation. In every county assembly that we visited, they told us that the County Assemblies Ward Fund would either make or break devolution. They told us they were aware we were going to handle it, and that they were following up what we were doing. Instead of us doing the main activity that took us there, we discussed the Ward Fund. I am happy the Bill is before the House. We also talked about car grants. We were there on another assignment but the MCAs wanted information about car grants and retirement benefits. I am happy that the Bills on the retirement and ward equalization fund are now before the Senate for deliberation. They even asked for our view on the proposed referendum. You therefore, go there and there are so many issues coming up about their welfare and what is happening around our duties and mandate. At the end of the day, that interaction would give us more room to help them. If I looked at the little interaction we have had with the MCAs, they feel more protected by the Senate. They appreciate what we are doing. It is as if every complaint and problem can be handled by the Senate. I therefore, think that whoever came up with this Annual legislative Summit is keen to come and get what we need to do to protect the interest of the county assemblies. This summit will help us to affirm that we are there to protect the interests of the counties, listen to them and take their views into account. You can imagine if the Senate was to visit the 47 counties, it would not be possible. However, a sample of the people that we are going to meet in this Legislative Summit will definitely give us a feeling as to what our counties are expecting us to do. Madam Temporary Speaker, when I looked at the Devolution Conference, it was more about the Senate and governors. In fact, we talked much about governors, oversight and all that. However, the participation of the MCAs was minimal. I remember the person who dwelt so much on the MCAs was the chairperson of their forum. There was no much room for them to have taken their space and engage with the Senators. This separate Annul Legislative Summit is more about the MCAs and is a better place for them to interact with us. Further, you remember we had a kamukunji here about whether we should go to the Devolution Conference. We agreed to attend since it had improved and we would have done well. We were happy with what was happening and the improvements. However, I remember one of the Senators saying that even if we never attended it, we would have our Legislative Summit. This is therefore, our space. It is like our own baby. I remember the Senators saying that even if we did not achieve what we wanted at the 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"
}