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{
    "id": 822793,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/822793/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 344,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this Motion for Adjournment. This is scheduled, but it does not mean that we should not share or thoughts as to whether or not we agree to it, as is the procedure on any matter that is laid before this House. This is still an extremely busy time for us. The fact that we shall not be showing up in the Chamber does not mean that the work of the Senate has been put to halt. I know for a fact that many of the Senators will be committed in their Committee work. Personally, as Sen. (Dr.) Zani has advised, I intend to spend a good amount of time with my county assembly. I will try to drill into them the desire and need to do our work as legislators and ensure that devolution succeeds. The reason I say that is because, on many occasions – and these are some things that keep me and many other Senators awake at night – we are added to the village WhatsApp groups, which is the easiest tool of communication nowadays, from different parts of your county. Residents would complain about issues such as a road that is inaccessible, a dispensary that does not have sufficient medication, et cetera . One of the tools that we can use, as a House, despite the fact that we do not do executive work, is to pile pressure and let our county assemblies--- I personally feel that our county assemblies have not fully exercised the powers that are within their discretion. When you break down the County Government Act and follow up to the establishment of county assemblies, it gives our County Assemblies similar though not equal powers to what Parliament can do. Therefore, this new spirit of investigation where Parliament appears to be taking a very strong and vocal role on matters of accountability needs to passed on to our county assemblies. Many of our county assemblies in this country are under County Executive capture. The county governments are using projects like it used to happen in our country in the KANU era. When you were supportive of the regime, then you could be assured development in your constituency. However, if you were in opposition, then you were easily side-lined. Unfortunately, many of the governors have taken that path. The saddest bit of it, is that they do it with a support of a divided county assembly. I would urge the county assemblies to properly execute their mandate together so that they can succeed together. This dangling mentality that is being taken up by many of county governments is used to divide county assemblies. There is no assurance of continued camaraderie between county assemblies and county governor as a sure way to achieve development. Our legislative work is to debate and pass Bills. Many Kenyans are now fond of the Senate. They are appreciating the good work we are doing. It may appear as if it is self- serving to praise ourselves as Senators, but when a good thing is said about us, we need to be proud of it. Earlier on, I was following the contributions from my colleague online. I saw a leading journalist running a poll on which House Kenyans prefer between the Senate and the National Assembly. This journalist works for NTV . By the time, I was logging off, 50 replies were in favour of the Senate. Not a single mention of the “Lower” House. This is 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."
}