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{
    "id": 1115340,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1115340/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 21,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Members, please, take your seats because I still have a few more pages. Hon. Members, you may also recall that I have previously ruled on questions as to whether proposed amendments contained in an omnibus Bill ought to be published as separate Bills. I remain of the considered view that any concerns over the substance of a Bill can only be addressed through the conduct of adequate public participation and exhaustive consideration of the proposals by the House. I have previously committed affected statutes in an omnibus Bill to their relevant Departmental Committees to facilitate public participation for this very reason. The test for the House is not the form of the Bill, but the manner in which it considers and interrogates the substance of the Bill before making any resolution. It is my finding that the Health Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is in order as to the format and style of the House and the House proceed with it. This settles the second question. Hon. Members, the third and final issue is the question as to whether the Departmental Committee on Health did conduct adequate public participation within the meaning and threshold envisaged under Article 118 of the Constitution and Standing Order No. 127(3). From the outset, Hon. Members, you are aware that I have previously guided this House that since the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, public participation in legislative business is no longer optional. Article 118 of the Constitution is couched in mandatory terms and obligates Parliament, in this case the National Assembly, to facilitate public participation and involvement in legislative and other business of Parliament and committees. In my previous Rulings on questions of public participation, I have repeatedly underscored that public participation ought to be undertaken in a 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."
}