Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 917125,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/917125/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 305,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ndaragwa, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Jeremiah Kioni",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 49,
        "legal_name": "Jeremiah Ngayu Kioni",
        "slug": "jeremiah-kioni"
    },
    "content": "governments but not how much the national Government and devolution get. That is not their role. That is the role of the people’s representatives. These issues are very clear, but there are people who have decided to confuse others on that. I agree with what was suggested. This whole debate happened in Naivasha. It is true that at one point, we agreed that the Senate will be meeting four times in a year. Because we wanted to pass this Constitution without too much opposition, we decided to keep quiet to avoid a debate on that aspect of how often should they meet. I reiterate that the Speaker and the leadership of the Senate can easily create a lot of work for themselves if they just choose to look at the areas that are available. They have a lot of work they can do throughout the period as opposed to what is happening today. It is also absurd when you call a whole Ministry to come and make a presentation to a Committee of two senators. The quorum is one. It is very difficult to get quorum in the Senate. They do not even have the numbers that can take on the work that they want to do. It is not fair for this country. We respect the Senators. Previously, I held the position that we needed to scrap the Senate. I have changed that view. We need the Senate, but they need to be imaginative in terms of the work they can do because sooner or later, they will get themselves in trouble, if they continue trying to encroach on roles that are clearly left to the people’s representatives. Finally, if the Senator for Kakamega represents about 11 or 12 constituencies and the Senator for Lamu represents two constituencies, how can you equate that vote? How can a senator representing 11 constituencies be on equal footing with a senator representing two constituencies? That is why you cannot give them the mandate to decide on people’s issues. I support this approach by the House Business Committee. It is important that this issue be put to rest. As my colleagues have said, we expect the courts to look at the Constitution and not be persuaded by anything else, but what is provided for in our Constitution for the good of this country."
}