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{
    "id": 893724,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/893724/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 116,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "very awkward because everybody is in an acting capacity. It is time that we in this House rose to the occasion because we are the defenders of devolution and county governments. The reason why some people worship governors as if they are everything is because of the power of money. We were in Samburu County and we could see that some people were afraid of talking when the governor was there. However, when the Governor was not there, they gave us more information but the moment the Governor appeared, they retracted everything that they had said. We should take this opportunity and try to come up with legislation that we can expedite. I think the people who drafted the Constitution failed Kenya because they failed to give this House, which is the defender of counties, original jurisdiction on legislation. We do not have a say even on legislation that affects counties yet we are the defenders of counties. We have to send our legislative proposals to the National Assembly before they can be assented into law. It is about time that we broaden the conversation that we are having. We need to amend the Constitution so that the Senate can have the original jurisdiction on legislation. This is the only way that we can progress. I also know that this Constitution gives opportunity to the national and county governments to share functions. Where certain functions cannot be delivered by the national Government, with proper arrangements, they can be shared with the county governments. However, with the current situation, I hold a different view and I do not subscribe to the school of thought that a county government can be suspended because that will bring a lot of crises. I do not believe that whatever is happening right now in Samburu meets the threshold of “exceptional circumstances”. When you read the Constitution, it says that the speaker can take over in the event that there is a vacancy and there is no deputy governor pending an election. I do not think there is anything that stops the current speaker from making sure that every operation in the county continues. In conclusion, I would like to urge the investigating agencies and also plead with the courts to expedite this. I am a firm believer that by the time such a case is taken to court, a lot of time should not be wasted on it. I urge the courts and investigating agencies such as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to run this prosecution quickly so that the people of Samburu County get justice. I thank you."
}