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{
    "id": 1056414,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1056414/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 106,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Rarieda, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Otiende Amollo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13465,
        "legal_name": "Paul Otiende Amollo",
        "slug": "paul-otiende-amollo"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to support this Motion and express full concurrence with your guidance and ruling on this matter based on the Constitution, usages, customs and precedence both in this country and other comparable jurisdiction. It is true that the Standing Orders do not provide for a situation under Article 257. Therefore, we must fall back to Standing Order No.1. In doing so, we need to disabuse a few things that some people may have supposed. First of all, it should be noted that this is not a situation where Standing Order No.129 applies, which speaks of 90 days between the readings. The Standing Order relates to an initiative under Article 256. In fact, it copies the words of Article 256(1)(c). Secondly, we should also disabuse the notion that some people have sold out there, that we will require a super majority to pass this Bill. That is the two-thirds majority which would be contemplated under Article 256 again. In this case, as expressly provided in Article 257(8), it is just a simple majority. Thirdly, it must be understood that we are not at liberty to amend the draft. Therefore, suggesting that there are amendments that can be brought through this House would be misleading the public. The issue is very simple. Where it is a popular initiative, which has been sanctioned as in this case by over four million Kenyans, we cannot be at liberty to adjust their thinking. Ours is to do what we must do and then allow the people to express themselves in a referendum. I welcome and thank you for the guidance on the joint sittings of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal affairs and the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. I want to confirm to you that we have already initiated informal consultations between the two committees. Therefore, your ruling gives it a formal foundation on which to proceed. It is also important to speak to the question of public participation. It is important to do public participation, but it must be what I would call limited public participation. Limited first, because this is a process that has been on for three years. This is a process that saw the hand 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."
}