{"id":806229,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/806229/?format=json","text_counter":292,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"gains of devolution, we reject it. When we see legislation that does not support the spirit of devolution, we set it aside, discuss and interrogate it so that we can perform our mandate of promoting devolution. Despite the fact that the National Assembly is still playing their funny games in terms of our oversight function, holding the session in Uasin Gishu County will give us more people to support us. I speak this with authority. Being a Member of the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC), we realized that there is need for capacity building for MCAs. Most of these county governments either ignore or do not understand most of the legislation particularly the Public Finance Management Act. So, holding this session in Uasin Gishu County will not only open the eyes of those county legislatures but also give the citizens an opportunity to come and sit in the Gallery and listen to the Senate. The citizens will not have to pay for a bus ride or a flight from Eldoret to Nairobi to come and listen to the Senate. They will be listening to the Senate in their backyard. Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to support this and hope that when the House is considering it, it will not only be limited to holding it this year in Eldoret. I know there are a lot of expenses which will be incurred in holding the session outside of Nairobi but it is an expense that we are willing to go through. For instance, if we go to Narok County next year, the farmers of Narok who may want to petition this Senate on the challenges they go through with their farming, will see us and walk in. We will also be able to demystify the procedures of this House. Many people in the rural areas do not understand our role. This opportunity will open their eyes. They will know that the Senate is not only limited to Article 96, but starts from Article 93, when Parliament is established as both the Senate and the National Assembly. Madam Temporary Speaker, when you read the newspapers, most of the time, you will find that when they are referring to Members of Parliament, they only relate to Members of the National Assembly. Not every Kenyan knows that Parliament is made up of Senators and Members of the National Assembly. Therefore, holding this Session in Eldoret will give us an opportunity to share this with the people. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is also important to promote partnership. In the last Senate there was a lot of war between the governors and Senators. By going to their neck of the woods, we will show them that we are only there to work together. Our role is very clear that we must protect the interests of the county governments and the counties, which is the people. From the accounts that were tabled here today by the Chairperson of the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee, we are still looking at the audit reports for the Financial Year 2013/2014. We have new governors who have come in and most of them constantly send letters of regret saying: “We are not able to come; we need more time to put this together.” Holding this Session in Eldoret will show them that when they appear before a particular Committee, they are not going there to be crucified, but to share information, build partnership and share different ideas on how we can maintain and ensure fiduciary responsibility. This is a tradition that I hope - and I agree with the Mover of the Motion - both Houses of Parliament will commit to be holding Plenary or even committee meetings in other places. For the whole week that we will be in Uasin Gishu County, we will proceed 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"}