HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 978575,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/978575/?format=api",
"text_counter": 290,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13131,
"legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
"slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
},
"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senator for Nairobi was consulted by both levels of government on these three options. I gave them the following considerations: Number one, I told them that the basis for considering these options must be the political and economic stability of Nairobi City County and must be in the best interest of the people first, and for them being able to receive services. The people first and politics later. That was the first condition I gave. The second one condition - when they were considering transfer, I said, that any such action in as much as it is anticipated by the Constitution, must not in any way undermine devolution and must strictly be within the law. Thirdly, I told both levels of government that the voice of the people of Nairobi expressed directly through public participation and indirectly through their elected representatives, the Senator, Members of Parliament (MPs), and the Governor included, must be considered and consulted and be part of any arrangement so ensuing, such that if we go ahead with transfer, this House must demand that within those structures, the Senate is represented, and the Members of Parliament are represented for accountability and for continuous oversight. I said that the right of the people of Nairobi to have services delivered must be upheld. Fifth, the staff working in Nairobi City County must be assured of their job security and a clear capacity building framework be established. I am glad that when I saw the gazette notice, it had a provision for the capacity building framework to be put in place. Finally, that any such arrangement be time bound with options for review. I have seen an annual review and a 24 month time period. I say that because there have been several quarters who have been very keen to say that because Nairobi is the capital City of the country, it must revert back to the national Government. In fact, not just several quarters who include the Senator for Murang’a in the last Senate, and Sen. Cheruiyot, the Commissioner, had such a proposal or that was interpreted as such. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, even in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), as elected leaders in Nairobi, we have met and we have said that because two consecutive governors or administrations have failed to deliver, does not mean that you deny 10 per cent of the residents of Kenya - Kenya has a population 47 million and Nairobi has 4.7 million people - devolution. We can get it right the third time round. It is possible to get it right. There are states like Lagos in Nigeria which have been much worse than Nairobi. With more than 10 times of our population, the former governor Fashola did an amazing job and transformed Lagos. It can be done with the requisite support and proper review. Even to that Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), we are presenting a middle ground of how Nairobi City County and the national Government can work together while maintaining devolution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know that some people came to Nairobi City County to look for jobs or education. Some of us were born here and we do not know any other 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."
}