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{
    "id": 814548,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/814548/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 155,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. From the outset, I also want to add my voice. I fully associate myself with the Statement that was issued by the Senate Majority Leader and ably seconded by Sen. Wetangula. We are in this Senate because of the sovereignty of the people of Kenya. Under Article 1 of the Constitution, sovereignty of the people is exercised through their democratically elected representatives. We are here because we have won the confidence of the people of Kenya to represent them in the Senate. The role that we play as Senators is well captured in Article 96 of the Constitution. The Senate represents counties and serves to protect the interests of the counties. If we allow corruption in this country, we will have failed in protecting the interests of our counties. So, the Committee that is chaired by Sen. M. Kajwang’ is undertaking a probe into the Ruaraka land scandal in order to protect devolution. If we allow resources to be siphoned and end up in peoples’ pockets, we will have failed in our mandate of protecting the interests of our counties. Secondly, under Article 174 of the Constitution, one of the objects of devolution is to ensure that there are checks and balances and there is democratic and accountable exercise of power. So, when we summon Cabinet Secretaries to the Senate Committees, to ask them how power has been exercised and hold them accountable, we are simply breathing life to Article 174 of the Constitution. We must remind our brothers in the National Assembly that they have to exercise the powers that have been donated to them by adhering to this Constitution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Article 73 on the responsibility of leadership is very clear. It says that power that has been vested on a State officer should be exercised responsibly and should be there to serve the people, but not to rule over the people. Therefore, the National Assembly must be seen to be acting in a responsible way. People who live in glass houses should be the last ones to throw stones. 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."
}