The feeling all round was that this group of people deserve a better pay as they are the people to implement devolution at the county levels. We felt it was our responsibility as senators to safeguard the devolution dream. My mind quickly rushed to Fred Owino Obenge whom I had interviewed a while back. He is the county representative for Lindi ward in Kibra constituency; his dreams would be crushed by the poor pay considering he would have to give up other jobs to effectively work as a County representative. We had two hours to deliberate on this issue and I was dying to say something for the sake of Obenge and other county reps who had sacrificed everything for the sake of working for the people. I moved next to Dr Boni Khalwale (Senator for Kakamega County) to consult on how I should best bring out my point. He told me one thing that helps me to date. “Don’t sit down to think of how to structure what you want to say, if you believe in yourself, go up there and represent your people”. I got more confident but for you to speak in the senate, you have to catch the speaker’s eyes for him to choose you. I kept standing up so that I could meet the speaker’s eye. This was getting tiring but I did not give up as this was part of the job that was given to me. Finally the speakers met my eyes and I went ahead to represent my people. I thought I had done well, but alas, when I got there, senator Wetangula (Senator for Bungoma County)stood up on a point of order, I was out of order for not bowing
to the speaker. So I had to go back and bow before participating in the motion. I really liked this because being on the same forum with political veterans; this meant that I was going to learn a lot from making mistakes, and criticism. I went ahead and presented my point this time not forgetting to bow to Mr. Speaker sir. As senators, it is our role to defend devolution. We must ensure that the counties are empowered and power is given to the people. We are empowered to represent the interests of the counties and their governments. Other roles of the senate include: to participates in law-making by considering, debating and approving bills concerning counties, to determine allocation of national revenue among counties and the senate also has the powers of impeachment over the President, Deputy President, County Governors, and Deputy Governors. My constituency being the youth and women, my intention is to push bills and motions that will put the interests of the two groups ahead. As I sit in the upper house, I can’t help having this strong conviction that I have to do something especially for the youth who over the years have been misused to propagate violence in the society. I believe I can do all these with God by my side. [email protected]
He has given me great joy, the Lord has made me happy, I rejoice in what He has done as soldiers divide captured wealth from their plunder. I choose to be happy because the Lord has indeed filled my life with joy!
Wachira Kiambaa As Cars queue @ refilling stations so shall Angels queue 2 refill ur lyf with blessings. May ur prayers never enter voicemail, may they never be rejected. Julius Lopeyok Ngaremarea Parish I may note be where I want to be but where I am today is not where I was yesterday. Donna Nyapola Westlands
Jaber Nyar Henry
ov heard er
@JoyGwendo
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THE SEED - VOL 25, No. 8, AUGUST 2013
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