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    "id": 805155,
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    "content": "for Narok regarding what should be done in instances where a county is involved in an international matter or issues that have an international aspect in nature. I am happy that my committee has a number of senior counsel like the Attorney-General Emeritus and Sen. Orengo, my senior. I want to thank him for that endorsement. I hope that endorsement will go a long way in ensuring that we become efficient and effective in the discharge of the mandate of this House and even politically that in future people will refer to those very kind words. So, I agree we need to look at that aspect. There were Senators who were wondering why it appears to be a closed shop for lawyers. The Chair is a long-term practitioner in the legal profession; Sen. Orengo is also one of the longest practising senior counsel in this country. I agree because of the nature of the work that we deal with. This is a very critical office where you cannot just bring in anybody. I am not trying to disparage or demean other professions; the profession of Sen. Ledama ole Kina, Sen. Were, among other professionals that assist us in this House or even elected Senators. What we are saying is critical, that involves the legal aspects of the on goings in the county governments. Madam Temporary Speaker, another issue that was raised was on the status of the County Attorney. It should be at the county government apex because most of the deliberations that are done by the CECs, governor and the county assembly need an informed legal advice or legal direction; even in the vetting and drafting of documents. I want to agree that it is important to have them as part of it. As a Committee, we had proposed that they require experience of seven years but when we deliberated with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), because of the interest of ensuring a progressive growth within the legal profession, it came down to five years. As young people in this country, we are always interested in creating more opportunities for young people. We have another caucus with young lawyers associations across this country and their feeling has been that we need to ensure that we open other legal areas so that they can grow. I agree that experience sometimes is not good because once can be experienced in some bad things. I agree that we need to ensure that young people also have an opportunity. I know Senators who are here are always challenged by the issue of young people who do not have opportunities. This is one of the opportunities that we will have going forward. With regard to all those comments and proposals for amendments, I want to assure my colleagues that, as a Senate Committee, we will sit down and have a look at them. I have a well-balanced Justice and Legal Affairs Committee with Members who have serious legal experience in this country and who have served in various fields in the legal profession. Going forward, we will ensure that we factor in all that. Now that the national Budget has been read, I know county assemblies are now working on their county budgets upon the request from the county executives across country. It is important that I request and kindly call upon all my colleagues that we vote for this Bill so that we ensure it becomes an Act of Parliament. This will ensure we can allocate money as early as now so that we do not move to another financial year where we will be asking the CPAIC to summon county governments. One of the major pending bills has been outsourcing of legal services. I, therefore, request my colleagues that we 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."
}