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{
    "id": 805103,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/805103/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "across this country continue to accrue in relation to legal services. Two, the creation of this office will help us build institution memory on where each county stands in relation to legal matters; as opposed to the touch and go approach that is being used today where different lawyers are called to offer legal services in the counties. This morning there was a meeting on the alternative dispute resolutions mechanisms. On this Bill, I will urge the Committee to look for possibilities of encouraging the office of the County Attorney to exercise available alternative dispute resolution mechanisms which are found in almost all the communities in this country. That will help to reduce the cost and measure the quality and quantity of the output in as far as the legal services are concerned. Clause 5 of this Bill is on the appointment and qualifications for appointment of County Attorney. The expectation of this Bill is that the County Attorney shall bring to the executive and the governments in the counties requisite competence in legal matters, experience and respect among colleagues in the legal profession. The qualification of at least seven years experience as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya is too low. There is a need to relook at the qualification of the person who shall sit in the office of the County Attorney. This is because that person is supposed to look at employees’ contracts and contractual agreements between county governments and development partners. Therefore, that person should be one who is qualified, commands respect and has the right experience. Part (IV), Clause 18(1) says:- “The county public service board shall appoint such County Legal Counsel as may be necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of the functions of the Office.” That clause is too open ended. I think the intention is to manage costs and ensure efficiency in the operation of that office. The drafter of this Bill should consider proposing a minimum and maximum number of legal counsel to serve in the Office of the County Attorney. With those few remarks, I support."
}