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{
    "id": 812103,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812103/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 193,
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    "content": "work and how they are going to benefit from it which boils to one thing; public participation. I know that the county governments are taking advantage for there has never been legislation in place and that is why they are conducting public participation as a public relations exercise. This law will enable many citizens to resist public participation exercises in pre-determined cases where the public attends a meeting just to be given a bottle of soda and a loaf of bread. This law tries to bring into focus the ways in which people will be involved in formulation of policy, legislation or any other issue of public interest as from the ward level, county level up to the national level. One of the challenges that we face in our counties is that we have people who attend public participation hearings with predetermined positions. In fact, they do not engage the public properly when calling for those public participation hearings and when the meetings take place, they give people a bottle of soda and a loaf of bread then inform them of what the county government is going to do without necessarily engaging them on the way forward. We hope that this law will change this and that it will ensure that we change the way things are done at the county level. One of the objects of devolution according to Article 174 of the Constitution is public participation. As we realize the gains of devolution in this country, it is very important to note that one of the strongest pillars of devolution in this country is public participation which has been given breath by this Bill. This Bill has not only involved Articles 10 and Article 174 of the Constitution but it also brings into focus the aspect of public participation so as to ensure that we put democracy and participation of the people into focus. When you walk around this country, you will see public projects which the affect lives of our people and yet members of the public were not involved in decision making. This Bill will ensure that we promote accountability and transparency on how we deal with these things. It is twofold. The reason we are having many issues in Turkana County over oil is because people want to be involved. The same applies in Kilifi over Titanium and Nandi County over the issues of gold at the Karebe Gold Mine where people complain that they were never involved. The county assemblies are concluding on the budget-making process and people are complaining that the way it was done, it did not meet the threshold, standards and expectations of public participation. Therefore, I agree that the Bill will give an opportunity to the people because, at the moment, it is chose and pick for the county governments. They can decide to either advertise information in a national radio, on billboards or in notices across our townships and small centres. At the end of the day, it will assist in public awareness to ensure that we remain focused. It will also assist and give a framework for people to discuss important issues of public interest. I believe that the Schedule has provided how it should be done such that it becomes mandatory. Madam Temporary Speaker, at the moment, county governments can decide to do public participation without using the necessary medium. At least, we have now given an opportunity to use traditional medium, mainstream medium, social medium and any other form of medium so that we enhance the quality of public awareness. By the time decision on allocation of resources are made, all and sundry that are affected, for example, 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."
}