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{
"id": 1553402,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553402/?format=api",
"text_counter": 389,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you so much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. First, allow me to appreciate the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for taking time to embark on this matter. There are very few women deputy governors. Most of the governors are male and their deputies are also male. Very few have women deputy governors, and you note that these positions are very few. It is so sad to stand on this platform and discuss the character of the Governor of Trans Nzoia County because from the report I have looked at, the issues that had been raised by the Deputy Governor of Trans Nzoia are more personal than administrative. When these two people, the Governor and his Deputy, decided to embark on a journey of leadership in the County of Trans Nzoia, I believe their main goal was to serve the people of Trans Nzoia. At the same time, of course, from a political point, there had to be balance and different factors considered. They walked a journey and they succeeded. Then you wonder, was the Governor just taking in the Deputy Governor as a flower for him to succeed in winning the seat and that was it? Looking at the issues here, like denial to use the designated house of the deputy governor, breakdown of communication, discrimination and being sidelined looks partly The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1553403,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553403/?format=api",
"text_counter": 390,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "like an issue of administration, but it is also very personal. When someone decides not to have communication with you while you are in office, but during the campaign period you had teamwork, there was flow of communication, then it breaks when you are in an office. What Sen. Okiya Omtatah has talked about, where this beef came from is even sickening; it is belittling the mindset of looking at the reason behind it. I have heard Sen. Omtatah talk about the issue of a trip to the USA for Christ's sake. What is a trip that it makes you, a whole leader, to disconnect the working relationship with your deputy governor? If it was an official trip, then why is it a big deal? Why should it be the subject that these two leaders cannot work together? I have looked at it in terms of the different stakeholders who are supposed to appear. I even noted that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration did not have time to appear before this Committee. Is it because maybe the matter was not too weighty? Why did they not appear before the Committee and get to the bottom of the issue that the committee had raised? The DCI never gave a report. The matter was too little? What is the reason behind that? The Committee did its part and they have submitted a report today. When I spoke to the Chairperson, Sen. Abass, about some of the recommendations, I learnt that the recommendation was very simple. The recommendation was that they should work together. According to the report, the Governor has assured the Committee that he will ensure that they are working very well with the Deputy Governor and the decision is for the two of them. Some of these issues resemble marital challenges. At times, no matter how much shouting or running around occurs, at the end of the day, it is just the two individuals involved. They are the ones who must sit down, reconcile and move forward. In marriage, when two people meet and come together, you are not there; you are not involved. So, why should you want to be involved when issues arise? Why is it that involvement only comes when people face challenges? At the end of the day, the decision lies solely with these two individuals. Looking at the scenario in Trans Nzoia, it mirrors this situation. The Committee has done its part. These two leaders have stated their intention to work together. I am told they only managed to collaborate for one week. Even the relevant institution, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), what more can it do on that? If, as leaders and adults, a team mediates the issues and confirms that collaboration is expected, yet this does not happen, it is truly sad. As I conclude due to time constraints, the Governor is working and his office is operational. He must ensure that he provides the Deputy Governor, Madam Philomena, with the support needed to fulfill her mandate. Things happen. Just the other day in Meru County, the deputy governor became the governor. In Luhya, they say, vinduvichenjanga. Do not underestimate the power of your deputy. You never know. Circumstances can change unexpectedly. Therefore, we urge Governor Natembeya to provide Philomena with the platform to serve as his deputy and complete her term. By halting her career, where does that leave her? She could have been left to pursue other important things. Stop taking deputy governors to win an election and leave them afterwards. It is unfair and sickening. It is The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1553404,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553404/?format=api",
"text_counter": 391,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "the lowest point someone can reach. I challenge the governor to demonstrate true leadership. We have seen him rise to prominence, moving up and down. Let him begin by addressing issues within his office. Without proper leadership with his deputy, what message is he conveying? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I support the report."
},
{
"id": 1553405,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553405/?format=api",
"text_counter": 392,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Sen. David Wafula, proceed."
},
{
"id": 1553406,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553406/?format=api",
"text_counter": 393,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wafula",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 348,
"legal_name": "Davis Wafula Nakitare",
"slug": "davis-nakitare"
},
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to ventilate on the matter of Trans Nzoia. As a member of the Committee led by Sen. Abass, we had the privilege of mediating and bringing together these two individuals to stabilize Trans Nzoia County for the sake of development, tranquility, harmony and peace. However, it is unfortunate that despite the Senate facilitating this mediation, we are left with the impression, as indicated by our Chair, that the County Government of Trans Nzoia can no longer hold. If a deputy governor is denied access to their office, not assigned responsibilities, excluded from executive meetings and openly threatened by individuals known to the county government and state agencies, then it means that either the county government is headed to the dogs or we have a banana county. It could also mean that we have a problem and the county government is dysfunctional. Hon. Temporary Speaker, Members have alluded that there are simmering ethnic tensions rising at the grassroots level among leaders. As Sen. Tabitha highlighted, it is evident in speeches from leaders in Trans Nzoia, including the governor, which have been derogatory and threatening, targeting specific communities. The speeches suggest that members of specific communities do not have networks, do not know what they want and are not in the right political frame. Such utterances are creating tension on the ground. Last week, a County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in the County Government of Trans Nzoia openly abused a woman leader from the National Assembly in a derogatory manner. If a CECM can spew such venom publicly, what about the head of that institution? What message are we sending to Kenyans? That one can say anything, anywhere, anytime without going unpunished? Hon. Temporary Speaker, we invited the NCIC to the Senate. The Deputy Governor presented evidence to the Committee of insults, abuse and threats from individuals that are known. These individuals must be held accountable under the rule of law. If the same people are repeatedly used to tarnish, abuse, threaten and intimidate others, then the country is going to the dogs. We do not want a scenario where county governments become demagogic institutions led by individuals with stiff hands and necks, who fail to appreciate that we have a national and county governments that must work together for the benefit of the people. Therefore, I associate myself with this Report. I urge the Senate to pronounce itself that deputy governors must not only be seen, but also heard and actively involved in ensuring devolution meets the expectations of the founders of devolution. Denying deputy governors fuel, vehicles and resources while expecting them to deliver is unrealistic. This is a wake-up call to the Government of Kenya and institutions mandated The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1553407,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553407/?format=api",
"text_counter": 394,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wafula",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 348,
"legal_name": "Davis Wafula Nakitare",
"slug": "davis-nakitare"
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"content": "to address rogue governors and public officers. They should ensure that county governments unite communities and foster development, not division. Finally, I wish to address the matter of Butere Girls. I have participated in drama festivals before. As a former student of the powerful and famous Musingu High School, I recall performing a play called \"Coup Detat\" in Form One. Despite being the top performers in Western Province, we were not allowed to advance beyond its borders. We went back to learning and performed very well. This experience in Butere Girls Secondary School reminds me of the challenges faced by young people today. I never knew I will be in the Senate today seeing what is happening to young actors. I do not agree with the use of brutal force against innocent people. I also do not agree using a political platform and space to insinuate that you can use innocent people to propagate political messages. While we support talent, creativity and freedom of expression, we do not support using innocent platforms to expedite and champion political messages through young people. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Senate must weigh in on this matter and ensure that participants in these activities are given the space and opportunities to showcase their talent. We must also protect our institutions and nurture talent, not just for entertainment, but also as a means to earn a living. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1553408,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553408/?format=api",
"text_counter": 395,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Senator. Sen. Karen Nyamu proceed."
},
{
"id": 1553409,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553409/?format=api",
"text_counter": 396,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Nyamu",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The issue raised by the Deputy Governor of Trans Nzoia County, Madam Philomena, regarding her personal security is multifaceted. It highlights the broader challenges faced by deputy governors in this country. It is an open secret that deputy governors often operate at the mercy of their bosses, the governors. In counties where relations between governors and their deputies are cordial, it reflects positively on the character of the governor. Such governors are often praised for good performance, as they hold the power to make their deputies productive or not. Another critical issue emerging from this Motion is the environment in which women leaders in this country operate. It is also an open secret that women are physically the weaker sex. That aggravates the claims raised by Madam Philomena about her personal security. We have observed a trend where governor candidates select female running mates to appear gender-sensitive or considerate of the other gender. However, their true intentions often become evident once they assume office. The blame lies partly with the law, as it has created this position without adequate safeguards. Sen. Omtatah is right when he says that a deputy governor’s role is to act as a spare wheel. In case something happens to a governor, for example, incapacitation in one way or another, they should fill that gap. It is up to us as a House that protects devolution in this country to define roles of deputy governors, so that they are not just at the mercy of governors. Taxpayers are providing money for that deputy governor to be paid. Taxpayers have also provided a residence for her and a vehicle. It is not a favour by the governor. It should not depend on the mood of her boss. It is an injustice because taxpayers are The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1553410,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553410/?format=api",
"text_counter": 397,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Nyamu",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "spending money, but they do not get value for that money simply because the governor has not found it worth. There is a big lacuna in the law and we have been talking about this over and over again. I have not heard of any law before this House that seeks to bolster the position of deputy governor. We are all in the political field. You never know where you might find yourself in future. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the position of deputy governor makes sense for devolution’s sake. I thank you."
},
{
"id": 1553411,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553411/?format=api",
"text_counter": 398,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Senator. There being no other Senator wishing to contribute, I call upon the Mover to reply."
}
]
}