Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 857951,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/857951/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 485,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Pareno",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13180,
        "legal_name": "Judith Ramaita Pareno",
        "slug": "judith-ramaita-pareno"
    },
    "content": "This is a very straightforward amendment and I will be surprised if anybody will have a problem with it. This is because it is simply amending an Act to recognise that we have a new Constitution in place. We now have the ―upper‖ House and the ―lower‖ House, and each House plays its role. More so, lately we have had issues with some of our regulations going to the National Assembly and being passed without passing through the Senate, yet most of them affect the counties. We are here, as a Senate, to take care of the interests of the counties. Therefore, this is a noble amendment that I support. Madam Temporary Speaker, it would then require that not only one House deals with treaties. That would mean that the National Assembly will deal with it in the first instance. The Bill goes ahead to even provide that if it does not do it in the first instance, then we will not hold anybody hostage. The Senate will start the process and vice versa. The Constitution of Kenya provides for very broad principles through which we are supposed to enact legislation. In fact, it says that Parliament shall enact legislation to actualize the provisions of the Constitution. This is one such amendment that will ensure that the provisions of the Constitution and the principles that are so broad--- We could not specify everything in that Constitution--- Setting broad principles means and calls on us to put in place legislation to actualize the spirit and letter of the Constitution. I am happy that in this amendment, we are also providing for a principle that was brought in on behalf of the people – the principle of public participation. If we do not include public participation in treaties, we will not be speaking the language of the Constitution. The intention of the Constitution is that every other law that we pass is inclusive, including the domesticating of treaties; the people have a say. I am happy with this amendment because the citizens will be given space. The committees that will handle any treaties that are supposed to be domesticated will hear from the people. It has even given a provision for reservations. We must not always take everything that comes along the way. I am happy that people will have a say on what they want reserved maybe for some time and how their interests will be taken care of. We need to take the issue of treaties seriously. You will forgive me because I keep talking about the East African Community (EAC) because it is part and parcel of me, having been there. We sign and domesticate treaties. We speak on behalf of the citizens who want the EAC integration. However, as at one month ago, the EAC was not fully funded. You will find that there is a country that has paid only 20 per cent when the 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."
}