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{
    "id": 1028270,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1028270/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 306,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Kamar",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 33,
        "legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
        "slug": "margaret-kamar"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with regard to the Senate Continuity Plan- (1) In a circular dated 13th March, 2020 (see annex II), both Speakers of Parliament issued guidelines to all Members of Parliament and staff to prevent, and where necessary, contain and mitigate against the spread of the coronavirus which included suspending all foreign travels and official engagements within Parliament precincts. (2) On 31st March, 2020, the Speaker of the Senate issued Guidelines regarding Senate Plenary and Committee sittings during COVID-19 pandemic (see annex III). Some key highlights of the guidelines were that- plenary sittings would commence at 2.30 p.m. and end no later than 4.30 p.m.; during plenary sittings, the Chamber would sit a maximum of 28 Senators only; immunosuppressed Senators and staff, those aged 58 years and above, and those with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and HIV were encouraged to work from home; the Speaker’s Gallery and the Public Gallery would not be occupied by any person except the four technical staffers facilitating the sitting; and, there would be no consultations at the Speaker’s Chair or at the Clerk’s Table. (3) Senate committees were encouraged to transact as much business as possible remotely to reduce the need for physical meetings. Where it was absolutely necessary to hold a physical sitting of a Committee, such sittings would be held only in the Senate Chamber or in the Mini Chamber. Not more than one Committee sitting would be held in either Chamber on any day. The Senate Chamber would not be available for Committee sittings on the days on which the Senate is scheduled to hold its sittings. Additionally, the media and the public were barred from accessing Committee sittings. Committees were encouraged to make use of written submissions or responses from the public. (4) On 17th April, 2020, the Speaker of the Senate issued further guidelines for Senate Plenary and committee sittings during the COVID-19 situation (see annex III). The guidelines, as with the guidelines issued on 31st March, 2020, were limited in their application to the duration of the COVID-19 situation. The salient features of which were as follows - (a) On a day when a plenary sitting of the Senate was scheduled, a Senator who was not among the 28 Senators formally designated to be present in the Chamber would be deemed to have attended and to be present during the sitting, if the Senator- (i) Had come to the precincts of Parliament for purposes of the sitting; (ii) Was at the Senator’s office within the precincts of Parliament; and (iii) Had been recorded and certified by the Clerk to be present. (b)A Senator who was deemed present, in terms of paragraph (a) above, would be considered and reckoned to be present for purposes of voting. Their vote would be conveyed through the Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader or a Senator so designated by them. (5) Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, such guidelines have continued to facilitate smooth operation of plenary and committee proceedings. However, they have not been without The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}