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{
    "id": 1014513,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1014513/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 31,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Arch.) Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "MP and Sen. Mary Seneta, MP, during the Election of the Chairperson and Vice chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 8th September, 2020. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Committee of Powers and Privileges is established under Section 15(1) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act No.29 of 2017. The functions of the Committee as provided under Section 15 (4) of the Act shall be to inquire into the conduct of a Member whose conduct is alleged to constitute breach of privilege in terms of Section 16. Secondly, is to perform such other functions as may be specified in the Act. Section 15 (5) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, provides that- “The Committee of Powers and Privileges shall, either on its Motion or as a result of a complaint made by any person, inquire into the conduct of a Member whose conduct is alleged to constitute breach of privilege in terms of Section 16, within 14 days of receipt of the complaint.” Madam Deputy Speaker, on Wednesday, 24th June, 2020, the Senate approved Motions that reconstituted Committees. Consequently, during the election for the positions of Chairpersons and Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health held on 1st July, 2020, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee was elected unopposed. However, the election of the Vice Chairperson could not proceed and had to be postponed as a result of a dispute arising from that election. A report of the events surrounding the election of the Vice Chairperson was submitted to the Office of the Speaker explaining why the election could not be held. Upon reviewing the Report, the Speaker directed that the matter be referred to the Committee on Powers and Privileges for its consideration in accordance with its mandate as set out in the Act. In addition, there were reports in the media that some Senators were involved in a scuffle after the Committee adjourned. Subsequently, the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote a letter dated 2nd July, 2020 to the Speaker of the Senate drawing the attention of the Speaker to the reports appearing both in print and electronic media of an alleged scuffle within the Senate precincts. It was against this backdrop that the Speaker of the Senate and the Chairperson of the Committee of Powers and Privileges convened meetings of the Committee to deliberate on this matter. The Committee held three sittings; on 11th August 2020, 18th August 2020 and 1st September, 2020. The Committee considered the Report of the events surrounding the election of the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health and the letter of the EACC on the incident. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Committee further invited the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health and the two Senators who appeared before the Committee on 18th August, 2020. They have an account of events during the botched election of the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health. The Chairperson of the Committee on Health confirmed that there was an altercation and scuffle involving Sen. Kwamboka and Sen. Seneta. He also stated that trouble began during the election of the Vice Chairperson after a Senator, who was not a Member of the Health Committee, presented a letter from the Senate Majority Whip nominating her to vote on behalf of Sen. Omanga, a Member of the Committee who was The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}