HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1057042,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1057042/?format=api",
"text_counter": 102,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Nandi, Bomet and Lamu. Out of the eight submissions received, seven county assemblies being Kwale, Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Bomet and Lamu, submitted the draft Bill and the certificate of approval, while one county assembly, namely, Nandi County Assembly, submitted the draft Bill and a certificate of rejection. Hon. Senators, from the statistics I have just read, this brings the total aggregate of submissions from county assemblies to the Senate to 42. You will recall that in my earlier Communication made on 25th February, 2021, I stated that the threshold required under Article 257(7) of the Constitution, for introduction of the Bill in Parliament and attendant requirements in the guidelines have been met. Hon. Senators will, however, note that a Bill contemplated under Article 257 of the Constitution is by no means an ordinary Bill within the meaning of Standing Orders 125 to 163 of the Senate. A number of issues have arisen concerning the procedure for introduction into Parliament, of a Bill under this Article. There are several procedural questions that have been brought to my attention and that of the Senate Business Committee relating to the parliamentary process. These include – (i) whether the Bill should be republished; (ii) the maturity period after publication of fourteen (14) days and timelines for consideration of the Bill; and (iii)whether the Bill goes through the normal Bill process. Hon. Senators, you will recall that during the period of admitting returns from the county assemblies with regard to the Punguza Mzigo Initiative, the Speaker of the National Assembly and I observed that our rules of procedure are deficient with respect to fully actualizing the parliamentary process contemplated under Article 257 of the Constitution. A Bill under Article 257 of the Constitution contemplates expeditious process. I refer to Article 257 (7) that states in part that such a Bill “shall be introduced in Parliament without delay.” This provision seems to be drawn from the lengthy process attached to the consideration of the Bill in terms of collection of signatures in support; verification of the said signatures; public participation undertaken by various County Assemblies; and ultimately, approval by the assemblies. I am, therefore, persuaded that the Senate is under obligation to do everything necessary to expedite the introduction of such a Bill. Hon. Senators, in our consultations over the process of the Bill in the two Houses of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly and I were initially of the view that the Bill should be republished before its introduction with minor changes to reflect the current year (2021) on its face and to include a footnote indicating its approval by a majority of the county assemblies pursuant to Article 257(7) of the Constitution. It is agreed between the two Speakers and the leadership of the Houses that the Bill will be introduced simultaneously and as much as possible follow a similar process. Consequently, the Senate Business Committee (SBC), at its meeting held today, Wednesday, 3rd March, 2021, resolved that the Bill be introduced in the Senate for First Reading on Thursday, 4th March, 2021 in the format that it was presented to the 47 county assemblies by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Hon. Senators, in this regard, and pursuant to Article 257 of the Constitution and following the SBC meeting referred to above, I direct as follows – 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."
}