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{
"id": 572937,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/572937/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Baiya",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 8,
"legal_name": "Peter Njoroge Baiya",
"slug": "peter-baiya"
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"content": "(viii) The Land Use Bill, 2015; (ix) The Evictions Bill, 2015; (x) The Energy Bill, 2015; (xi) The Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill, 2015; (xii) The Representation of Marginalised Groups Bill, 2015; (xiii) The Two-Third Gender Principle Bill, 2015; (xiv) The Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2015; (xv) The Organisation and Administration of Appeal Bill, 2015; (xvi) The Small Claims Court Bill, 2015; and (xvii) The Contempt of Court Bill, 2015. Further, the Committee agreed that the Attorney-General, together with the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, were to come up with a report on compliance with Clause 17 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of Kenya 2010, with regard to restructuring of the Provincial Administration, on or before Tuesday, 28th July 2015, which is today. The Committee had a meeting today to get a status update on the said Bills as agreed. The Committee observed that in most of the meetings with the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), undertakings have been given none of which has been honoured to-date. Indeed, as I stand here today, none of the above 17 pieces of legislation have been forwarded to Parliament, as earlier committed to by the respective CSs and the Office of the AG. Noting that the constitutional timeline of 27th August 2015 is fast approaching, the Committee observed that it has become a tradition for the Executive, in full knowledge of the constitutional deadlines and in disregard of the Constitution, to delay preparation of legislation and thereafter seek extension of timelines from Parliament. As a Committee, we agreed that no extension of any timeline shall be permitted this time round. Hon. Speaker, as you are aware, Article 261(7) of the Constitution provides that if Parliament fails to enact legislation as required by the Constitution, the President shall, on the advice of the Chief Justice, dissolve Parliament. Members will agree with the Committee that the responsibility of enacting legislation and, therefore, ensuring implementation of the Constitution lies squarely on Parliament. Aware that the lackluster attitude of the CSs may not only plunge this country into a constitutional crisis, but also see Parliament blamed for matters that are not within its own control, the Committee seeks the indulgence of this House on this matter. Indeed, as a Committee, and as the Members of the House would agree, this House will not want to go down in history as having failed in the implementation of the Constitution. This is why we are bringing this matter to the attention of the National Assembly with a view to seeing why we may not meet some of the deadlines of 27th of August. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}