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{
    "id": 812920,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812920/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to comment on this extremely important Bill on public participation. My first question is whether the public is aware of the constitutionality of the term “public participation”. If I were to answer on behalf of the public that I represent here, it is yes. However, the process of engaging the public in decision making in this country is wanting. In most cases when an exercise of public participation is carried out, there is a huge disconnect between what is being shared to the public vis-à-vis what happens on the ground because of language barrier. For example, the Government of Narok County would go to Elangata Oosaen and ask people to give their views on policy issues they are planning to introduce, but communicate in English language. These people do not understand English. Of course, people will sit there watching and nodding in agreement of everything said even if they do not understand language. This Bill is extremely important because it has to set certain requirements on how these citizens will be included in the decision making. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, public participation is a political principle or practice and may be recognized as a right. Our Constitution recognizes it. It says for us to be able to carry out services to the people of Narok County or Nakuru, their views must be included in the decision making. Even on issues of the environment and water management, people need to be consulted on how these services will be delivered to them. Are they normally consulted? If you ask the county government they will say, “yes.” Mostly because they will put an advert in the newspapers and the people who will see it are those who buy newspapers. How many Kenyans pay taxes, yet they do not buy newspapers? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill should not only set out the requirements, the rules and regulation of public participation, but should go further and demystify. It should also elaborate on how the county governments in areas where people do not speak Swahili and English can carry out this exercise so that people are given an explanation. 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."
}