Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 917120,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/917120/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 300,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Emuhaya, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Omboko Milemba",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13328,
        "legal_name": "Jeremiah Omboko Milemba",
        "slug": "jeremiah-omboko-milemba"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. Looking at the origin of the history of the two Houses because that is the only area I will try to punch since many parliamentarians have punched many other areas, which relate to us... In the USA for instance, they only adopted the Upper House and Lower House; the Senate was having challenges. One is the historical perspective; they were getting independence from Britain and they really wished to have structures similar to those of Britain. Two, at the Philadelphian Conference where they were taking too long to make a decision on whether to move forward or not, this was the so-called Great Compromise. The small states felt they needed to be protected. That is why in the Great Compromise they said whether you are small or big you will have two Members in the Senate. But in the House of Representatives, they shall be given Members depending on the population. Political scientists and historians have since questioned the Great Compromise. If you look at the case study in Kenya, you will find that we equally went the same direction. We needed to protect the regional governments we had which Hon. Mbadi talked about it. We need to also assure the minority in Kenya that they will be protected. So, when the new Constitution was being created, the roles given to the Senate were mainly derived from the protective role of the minority and the county government as it is. A little bit was usurped from the former functions of the regional and municipal governments. That is why you have seen their roles like refuse collection which some people have used here derogatively and this should not be the case. Unfortunately, the Senate has misinterpreted the law and wants to usurp all the powers that should be taken by Parliament. But remember the National Assembly and the Senate have their own separate powers. Moving forward, it means we need to bring the Senate to some kind of check. Otherwise, we shall have to do what happened in 1966 when it had to be removed. Currently, Kenyans are complaining that there is too much money going to Parliament. It is because we have duplication of roles. The issues of oversight and committees have been talked about. They have created many committees. In the Senate, everybody is a chairman or vice chairman because they are few. We have to remove those roles which they have taken from the National Assembly and they stick to their roles as the Senate, and it will be harmonious bicameral system operating in Kenya."
}