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{
    "id": 811993,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/811993/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 83,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "July 3, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 19 Sen. Dullo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to contribute to this important Bill. It was unfortunate that we did four and a half years of devolution without this legislation in place. I join my colleagues in congratulating Sen. Wako for this effort. I believe that we should have had this legislation in place like yesterday. I remember in the last Parliament, the former Senator who is now the current Governor for Nandi introduced the famous “Sang Bill” which did not see the light of day because governors really fought against it. However, I hope that this will replace what Governor Sang anticipated, then. Mr. Speaker, Sir, looking at the Bill, it is a constitutional provision. The governor or a relevant Ministry will not decide whether to hold public participation or not. It is a must. Most of the counties and relevant departments were violating this particular provision of the Constitution. I believe that this particular legislation will address those who are violating that particular provision of the Act. I must commend Makueni County. When we went through this particular Bill, we were informed by Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., that Makueni County has a public participation procedure up to the village level. I must commend Governor Kivutha Kibwana for this initiative. I hope that most of the counties will emulate this. This is a constitutional right and it is important for Kenyans to know their right and the decisions counties are making on their behalf. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., has said, I remember that in the last Parliament, the Governor for Kericho County was almost impeached because he thought that public participation is just going to a restaurant, taking sodas and photos then making a decision on behalf of his county. He was committing the county for 50 years without a decision from the people of Kericho County but he was lucky to have been saved by this House. The same things are happening in most of our counties. Members of the public are not involved in decision making. Governors are rushing decisions in a restaurant corner somewhere with selected people who do not question. They take minutes, they are given Kshs100 or Kshs200 and a decision is made. This is wrong and it is also a great violation of the rights of the people of Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we cannot maneuver our way and write to those relevant institutions in the county. For example, we write to the speaker or the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance of the county assemblies to provide information. However, because we do not have a mechanism in place to hold them accountable, some of them do not respond to our letters; which is wrong. I do not understand why Senators are oversighting those counties if the county governments are not responding to our letters. We need to do something about that. Mr. Speaker, Sir, members of the public always complain to us. For example, in Isiolo County where I come from, the gate to the County Government is always locked the whole day. People have to book an appointment to access the public gallery or see the county governor. This is a great violation. I have spoken about this many times. Members of the public have complained, but nothing has been done about it. It is a high time that the Senate is serious on its mandate. 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."
}