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{
    "id": 1001528,
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    "content": "(vi) undertake, singly or jointly with other relevant authorities and organisations, such programmes as would promote the ideals of parliamentary democracy in Kenya; and, (vii) to do such other things, including review of parliamentary powers and privileges, as may be necessary for the well-being of the Members and staff of the National Assembly and to exercise such other functions as may be prescribed by or under an Act of Parliament. Hon. Members, it is worth noting that most of these roles were carried over in the current Constitution and mainly seek to cement the independence of the institution of Parliament from external control. In the present day, Article 127(6) of the Constitution provides for the responsibility of the Parliamentary Service Commission as being– (a) providing services and facilities to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of Parliament; (b) constituting offices in the parliamentary service, and appointing and supervising office holders; (c) preparing annual estimates of expenditure of the parliamentary service and submitting them to the National Assembly for approval, and exercising budgetary control over the service; (d) undertaking, singly or jointly with other relevant organizations, programmes to promote the ideals of parliamentary democracy; and, (e) performing other functions necessary for the well-being of the Members and staff of Parliament; or prescribed by national legislation. Hon. Members, comparatively, in the United Kingdom, the House of Commons Commission is responsible for the administration and services of the House of Commons, including the maintenance of the Palace of Westminster and the rest of the Parliamentary Estate. Annually, the Commission presents to the House for its approval the Budget Estimates for the House of Commons’ Administration, covering spending on the administration and services of the House for the financial year. The Commission is responsible for – (i) “Providing the non-executive governance of the House by Members, but it does not manage day to day operations; (ii) Setting the number and pay of House staff in line with the civil service; (iii) Appointing staff of the House (excluding the Clerk of the House of Commons, Serjeant-at-Arms and Speaker's personal staff; (iv) Preparing and laying before the House the Estimates for the House of Commons Service; (v) Allocating functions to House departments; and, (vi) Reporting annually to the House on its actions and on financial estimates for the financial year.” Hon. Members, it is, therefore, evident that the main purpose of a Parliamentary Service Commission is to ensure provision of services and facilities for Members of Parliament to enable them perform their duties. Put differently, a parliamentary service commission is designed as an independent parliamentary corporate body to oversee administration and management of the institution of Parliament. This independence is closely linked to the doctrine of separation of power among the arms of government as a hallmark of democratic governance. Members of Parliament ought to be accorded all the necessary facilitation, free from control by external forces, in the performance of their constitutional responsibilities. In support of these principles, Section III of The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}