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{
    "id": 1167371,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1167371/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 95,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kuresoi North, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Moses Cheboi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 329,
        "legal_name": "Moses Kipkemboi Cheboi",
        "slug": "moses-cheboi"
    },
    "content": "It is very large and we cannot go through it in detail. Read it because you will shortly have an opportunity to debate it. The fourth Member who also made submissions is Hon. Patrick Musimba. He submitted on the introduction of a parallel debating chamber. This is one that can be cited in the House of Commons, where sometimes when business is so heavy, there is an alternative chamber where you can go and actively participate. For example, look at a situation where some Members have been accused of not actively participating in Parliament because they do not have the opportunity. Currently, if every Member here wanted to speak, they would get time because many other Members are probably handing over their documents to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in their constituencies, or campaigning. At the height of consideration of business in a House like this, sometimes Members do not get opportunity. I am not saying this is what we ended up adding to the Standing Orders, but I am just trying to give you the rationale by Hon. Musimba. He also raised the thought of recognition of independent Members in the definition of a parliamentary party. There are many parties here and there will be more in future, some forming the majority and others the minority. But there is also the likelihood that there will be an increase in the number of independent Members and I will tell you why. One, some parties gave out direct tickets. Obviously, there is always a situation where a candidate will claim they should have won. That is politics. They may decide to vie as independent candidates and win. Also, some parties have conducted primaries. I beseech the Members who will be in the next parliament to consider the issue of party primaries because it is a huge area which is very difficult for political parties to handle because of resources and other general difficulties. It is not about blaming political parties for not holding credible processes. Currently, we believe it is only the IEBC that can do that. There are parties that held primaries and some of their members felt they were not ably given an opportunity to compete, and so, they decided to vie as independent candidates. There are members who simply decided to vie as independent candidates. So, in the coming Parliament, there is a possibility that we will have many independent Members. Hon. Musimba, who is an Independent Member, is saying that they should be recognised, a caucus should be placed in the Standing Orders and they should be given opportunity to serve. The next Member is Hon. John Kiarie. He submitted on among other things, the proposed strengthening of leadership offices like Hon. Duale did, the consideration of the Constitution of Kenya amendment Bills, and handling of Members’ personal data. An interesting one was by Hon. Zuleikha Hassan. I am sure you know her well. She has served for two terms. She is the Member who came to the House with a stranger, according to the current Standing Orders. She came here with her daughter. According to the current Standing Orders, her daughter would be a stranger, but the good thing is that you, Hon. Speaker, managed to get a way of making a difficult situation better. Members who are willing and interested to give birth to children while serving in Parliament have a good place where they can go and do everything that a mother does to make the child happy. In fact, we are also encouraging male Members who have sired children to bring their families here if they want to see them. I am told that Members have said that they can deal with that back at home. Administratively, the Speaker and the Parliamentary Service Commission have created something which I cannot pronounce well. I do not know whether it is called a crutch or a crèche. I am sure that a gynaecologist that I can see in the House would ably know what it means. It is a place where you can breastfeed and change your child. By the way, it is not just for Members 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."
}