Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 945627,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/945627/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 386,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ochillo-Ayacko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 347,
        "legal_name": "Ochilo George Mbogo Ayacko",
        "slug": "ochilo-ayacko"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, the third parameter of assessing whether oversight functions of Parliament or parliamentary committees are effective is the sufficient time that is accorded for the reports of the Committee to be debated. It is important that a House of this kind that brags or thinks that it is the “Upper House” should accord sufficient time, attention and skill and apply itself when debating these matters. If all of us were to run away from this House so that only Members of this Committee talk to empty benches, then oversight suffers. Oversight is not just about talking in the House; it must also gain sufficient publicity out there and be amplified in all media houses, including social media. Oversight by the public arises from the fact that there is a robust debate and that there is sufficient time and proper engagement by Senators when debating this matter, such that the public out there are able to relate with what the Senate is doing. When they do so, they also help in oversight. Most of the persons we oversight are elected officials and the best overseer of an elected official is a voter. So, the voter out there in Migori County should know that the Senate discussed the activities of the Governor of Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Makueni, Nyamira or Laikipia County so that at the end of it all, the rating of the Senate regarding the performance of that particular Governor is also known to the voter. When the voter becomes the judge in 2022 or sometimes earlier as is being requested in Taita Taveta County, the voter can carry out the ultimate oversight. Madam Temporary Speaker, we need as a House to give sufficient time. As Members of this House, we need to be all available and robustly contribute to the debate of oversight report from our very good Committee. There was a suggestion by Sen. Kibiru, which has gained traction in a group where we were informally discussing, that for this House to be taken seriously, we need to relook at our Standing Orders and redefine our business, so that out of the three sittings in a week, at least sufficient time is given daily to look at reports that relate to a particular county so that what we discuss and what is reported out there is relevant. Oversight is a very important thing. If we are to be appraised on the basis of the time that we give for matters relating to oversight or on our personal engagement as Senators with regard to the passion and commitment that we give to discussing matters oversight, in my appraisal, we also do not do well. I know there is room for improvement. We need to do better than we are doing. As a Chamber, we need to relook at the Standing Orders and accord sufficient time for debate. As Members, we also need to be engaged so that we are here and read what our committees do on our behalf, discuss them and give them the punch that is required. Hopefully, the media and the civil society as institutions that are out there to amplify the views of the Senate regarding the assessment of individual county executives will also get engaged. Madam Temporary Speaker, we also need to specifically look at financial expenditures of county assemblies. I have had the opportunity to discuss with Sen. M. Kajwang', our able Chairperson of CPAIC, how they have been able to carry out oversight and to discuss with county executives. He shared with me information that, due to time constraints, they have only been able to look at the accounts of expenditures of 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."
}