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{
    "id": 864032,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/864032/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Before we go to the last statement for today, I want to give some advice to the Chairperson, Committee on Roads and Transportation and your team. As you have realized the approach we have for statements is slightly different. During a time as this, periodically every three months, what Senators would have experienced in prosecuting each and every statement is canvassed in summary. Therefore, we take this very seriously. Chairpersons, be warned that this is not a ritual to come and read ritualistic statements and get away with it. Hon. Senators, when you know that the Chairperson of a Committee will be issuing a statement or a petition that you have an interest in, please, come prepared so that we engage fully and dispose of this very important matter without much ado. On the issue of the performance of your Committees in the last three months, I want to note that the concern on the speed at which Bills are processed in this House is not misplaced. In fact, we are running a risk of ruining the reputation of the Senate. The Kenya Roads Bill, the Petroleum Bill, The Energy Bill and a few other businesses have been lying here for more than last two years. Hon. Chairpersons and Members, every time we delay in discharging or processing Bills and other businesses, we are giving fodder to the enemies of devolution to rejoice, celebrate because we are giving credence to the view that this House is not up to the task. Hon. Senators, I want to give the following directions as requested by the Senate Minority Leader. I will not sit here and entertain any more excuses on why The Kenya Roads Bill cannot be passed. This is not a Bill for the Chairperson, the Committee on Roads and Transport or the Senate Majority Leader. It is a Bill for all Kenyans. Technically, it is called a Government Bill. However, the roads of this country are not Government property. They are the property of the people of Kenya. The Government is a conduit for processing this interest. Hon. Senators, we have only two days before the end of this session. I know we have serious quorum issues in voting this week, that is the threshold for voting, because of the colleagues who are on official duty in different events. I want this to go on record, when we come back in February, all the Bills that have been pending here for years on end, must be disposed of within 30 days, including The Kenya Roads Bill. I will personally follow up to ensure that happens because we cannot sit here. We all have different responsibilities. So, we cannot just sit here and assume that it is none of our business. Our business, wherever we sit, is to ensure that we protect the dignity of this House. 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."
}