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{
    "id": 842941,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/842941/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 183,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 129,
        "legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
        "slug": "james-orengo"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will be very brief. I will paint with a broad brush. I do not want to go into any particular details regarding the schedule or content of the report but I support the report. In doing so, I note what is contained in the two schedules. The broad point is that even with the money that has been set aside for allocation to the counties on equitable basis; I still believe that the way we are giving resources to the counties and managing the counties is not within the contemplation of those who made our Constitution. One of the most important pillars of this Constitution is the Bill of Rights. Truth be told, even under the old Constitution we had a Bill of Rights. We also had provisions that deal with the management of public finance. Under the old Constitution, one of the things that were not addressed in any way, not even in a clause or sentence, was the question of devolution of power and resources. That was completely empty in so far as that Constitution that was repealed was concerned. That was a major departure from the Independence Constitution that had provisions relating to the regions and the counties. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for everybody who lifted the Bible to take an oath of office in the Republic of Kenya, one of the things we must be conscious of, is the assurance that we give the public by the proclamation of this Constitution in 2010, that devolution would be protected. The Senate is the protector of the counties. As we speak, I still believe we are not giving enough emphasis to the counties. The way people are treating devolved units of Government around the world, whether authoritarian or not, is different. Even in China where central control is part of the structure of Government or the old Soviet Union Russia, you would still find that the regions are given reasonable autonomy, not only in terms of governance but in terms of resources because without resources there is no way you can run the counties. I have just had a meeting with the governor and that is why I was not here at the beginning of the session this afternoon. The picture that the governors are painting 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."
}