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{
    "id": 814560,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/814560/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 167,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "July 25, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 34 Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I am, therefore, already tempted to ask for more time even before I begin. However, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity. I wanted to welcome the school children but forgive me for diving straight into the matter before us. Mr. Deputy Speaker, a famous American poet, James Russell Lowell, once said that, “Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.” So as not to question the proceedings in another House, as provided for in Standing Order 90(5), I will not speak to some of the things that were said there. However, I will speak to the nation with regard to the role of the Senate and the importance of the Senate vis-a-vis devolution. Everybody has spoken about enemies of devolution and the lack of understanding on the role of the two Chambers. However, what is very clear is that this country had the National Assembly when it chose to introduce a Senate. There were very good and sound reasons for this, one of which was the quality of representation. This Senate has enhanced the quality of representation to our people. Just looking from what has been going on in the country, it was felt and deemed important that checks and balances be introduced. Similarly, quality representation with regard to protection of counties and citizens in the smallest units of service provision in this country had to be introduced. This was mainly to be done by the Senate under Article 96 of the Constitution, where a clear mandate to do this was introduced. Therefore, it is not just by accident that the Senate found itself here. The Senate was created because of a gap and the needs of the people, which the unicameral Parliament was not fulfilling. We, therefore, demand respect not just for the Senate, but for devolution and for county governments, because this is what---"
}