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{
    "id": 855049,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/855049/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 218,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ochillo-Ayacko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 347,
        "legal_name": "Ochilo George Mbogo Ayacko",
        "slug": "ochilo-ayacko"
    },
    "content": "would bind a county government to a period beyond its elective tenure of five years. Therefore, if there is the possibility of contracting out a service or anything that would overlap the tenure of a county government, it would then be important that such a project is brought to the attention of this august House for posterity. We are given mandate every five years, and you will find overzealous Governors go out there and contract your rights beyond their mandate. The people who will be left behind will be relating to this project for periods beyond five years. It is not sound argument and it is not persuasive, in my view, that we should shy away from poring through the paper work by saying that it is too much. We can establish a Committee that looks at it so that when it is brought before the plenary or when a Member representing a particular county picks it as something of interest, that Member may raise it and it can be debated. If you listened to what my colleagues, who have spoken before me, they said, that we should not be a rubber stamping Senate. They also said that oversight should be done after all these processes have been concluded. I am cognizant of the fact that there is a provision in the Bill for approval being granted by a unit. There is also a provision for carrying out feasibility studies. However in my view, those provisions are not equivalent to protecting the interest of the public. Those entities, just like the county assemblies, do not take elective responsibility for being voted to protect the interest of the public. We cannot, therefore, sit back and say, “Yes, the interest of the public is protected when a unit or a Government agency is given the sole right to review a particular project.” I believe in the interest of sovereignty, Constitution and the protection of interests of our county governments. It is important to create a right and a duty, as a last port of call, that this House should have a say over the approval of projects of these kinds. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have also looked at this Bill and the Act that it seeks to amend. I have noticed that there is no provision for sanctions, criminal or otherwise, for people who violate the provisions of the Bill. There is need to introduce an amendment to provide for what I am mentioning; but specifically to provide for sanctions against irresponsible officers who rush and expose the public to risks without adhering to the requirements of the Bill. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill is important; but as a House, I am of the considered view that we should do the best we can to ensure that we do not allow overzealous people to do things that would expose our counties to risks. I come from a county that is full of risks. My county neighbours counties that are full of risks. My brother from Kericho County is very knowledgeable about such risks. I heard contributions here that the Governor of Kericho County escaped through the eye of a needle because of the magnanimity of the Senate. We should not be a House of magnanimity; we should be a House of law. We should be a House that protects the interests of our people without favouring some people, or being kind to others as our people continue to wallow in abject poverty and as billions of shillings are stashed in other counties, whereas, they are expected to be in our counties to execute or expedite issues that relate to development. Mr. Deputy Speaker, with those few remarks, I promise that I will bring appropriate amendments to areas I think are of concern. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}