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"id": 936559,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/936559/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
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"content": "As we talk about the Big Four Agenda, we need to ensure that we bring everybody on board, so that on some of these decisions we make, we let people know what is happening. Before I forget, with your guidance, we have the Senate Mashinani program. The other day, you led us to Uasin Gishu County and now Kenyans know the role of the Senate, as provided for under Section 96. I am happy that the House leadership is here, because they have been instrumental in opening the Senate so that people can understand. I know that there are some organs before, especially the Executive, who have been having a narrow interpretation of what the role of the Senate is on many issues. This ranges from the budgetary process, which was put in Petition No.2, when the Senate moved to court. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to say this. Most of the State officers are in confusion. They need to understand that the narrow definition, under Article 96 of the Constitution, does not mean the Senate only. That is where there has been this misnomer that is going around the country, that the Senate only comes in when it is on issues of counties. When we talk about security issues, if there is insecurity in Nandi, Nakuru or Samburu, those are counties. We want to ask State officers, the functionaries and the Executive to be alive to the issues that we provide, and ensure that we move forward. The Senate of the Republic of Kenya is very instrumental in ensuring that the people of Kenya know what the Government should provide for. We also want to challenge the Judiciary – I know they are facing budget cuts – to ensure that they lead in terms of ensuring open governance. I have seen the Supplementary Budget on the budget cuts and the austerity measures that have been introduced by Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani. We must also be alive to the fact that it should not threaten the right to information of the citizens, which is a constitutional right. It should not threaten the openness, transparency, accountability, access to information, access to justice and administration of justice that has been provided by our Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, yesterday you hosted us to a Foundation Leadership Dinner, and one of the winners of Leadership Talbak Foundation. You mentioned that the Constitution of Kenya is so progressive, and that it is being admired across the world. It is important that we have such forums – not necessarily dinners – so that we can engage and ensure that we exchange information. These are some of the issues that we want to see and ensure that we provide information, as necessary. I know that because of the nature of information, the Government sometimes has classified information, and we appreciate that. But there is always the Access to Information Act, which was assented to in 2015. If I am right, those pieces of legislation; the Access to Information Act and the Public Participation Bill, which is in the National Assembly should be fast tracked to ensure that we create open governance. I want to call upon the Senate to use this forum and other open governance programs to ensure that we open up our spaces and share with people, because they say information is power. As I conclude to allow my seconder, Sen. Kihika, to proceed, when you read about the history of Singapore, the founding father said that before doing anything, you should sell the vision to the population. How do you sell the vision of Samburu County, if 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."
}