Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 872983,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/872983/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 596,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "Extreme poverty is not evitable. It can be legislated; systems and policies can be put in place and this is what this Bill does. It ensures that it provides a framework for counties and national governments to put in place frameworks and mechanisms for the realization of the economic and social rights as set out in Article 43 of the Constitution. It also imposes an obligation to prepare county strategic plans which will provide the county governments with a framework for the implementation of economic and social rights. These rights are tied to functions and powers of the county governments and conferred on them under part of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution including agriculture, health, services, county planning and development, provision of pre-primary and vocational education and public works including water and sanitation services. It is in the efficient and effective carrying out of services that the county governments will work towards ensuring the realization of these economic and social rights as set out under Article 43. Madam Temporary Speaker, I know we have legislated many Bills that seem to give economic power. However, this Bill will not just give fish to our citizens; it will give our institutions tools to make sure that our social and economic rights are enforced, monitored, quantified and implemented because something that is measured will be implemented. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have provisions in different parts with regard to how grants that are received will be handled towards achievement of economic empowerment and social rights. Again, there are systems for approving county strategic plans. Many counties are saying that they do not have ways to do this. Therefore, this Bill seeks to provide for those ways, strategic planning, prioritizing and focusing on the right things that would ensure that the real statistics that I have provided here start to be dealt with as part of the reform that we need in our country and as part of the obligations of this House. We have to ensure, as we go forward, and as our counties start to establish themselves and take advantage of the economic resources, that it is not just left in a vacuum. Everybody will be considered and counties will focus on the right things. This Bill speaks to both the national Government and counties. Therefore, it will ensure that they plan for economic empowerment of all citizens. For example, if 96 per cent of the workforce on farms are women, what strategies do counties have in place to ensure that the work is quantified and paid for appropriately? Madam Temporary Speaker, I know that I am running out of time. I hope that I will get more time tomorrow to expound on these things. There are many Articles in our Constitution that this Bill gives effect to. It seeks to provide a framework to give effect to all these Articles. It will also ensure the preservation of the dignity of all persons and communities in line with Article 19 of the Constitution and seek to provide the framework to facilitate the enforcement of these rights. Madam Temporary Speaker, Clause (6) (2) of this Bill provides that:- “The national and county governments, shall, pursuant to subsection (1)- (a) take measures to create the opportunities and an environment in which the economic and social rights are realised; 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."
}