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{
    "id": 1172245,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1172245/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 400,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. As you are about to make that momentous decision, there are a few facts that we need to put in mind. I totally agree with the Members who have expressed themselves on the matter of public students in private universities, the challenges and the difficulties that they go through. Indeed, even in the Public Accounts Committee under the able Chair Opiyo Wandayi, we have raised this matter at length. But you are being invited here to rule on whether the Bill and the amendments are constitutional or not. Hon. Speaker, there are three issues at hand here. One, Article 95 is very clear on the role of Parliament and Members of Parliament. The procedure for introducing and enacting a Bill is expressly clear in the Constitution as well as in the Standing Orders. Hon. Speaker, the mere fact that the so-called winnowing did not take into account all the views of the Members who had intended to make amendments, indeed, is an administrative matter and it cannot be a constitutional matter. It can be addressed at that level. But, Hon. Speaker, I think there has been a ruling before, and I can see the Hon. Members have complied that, whenever you feel that your views have not been taken into account at the winnowing stage, you can still proceed to present your amendments. Indeed, if you look at the Order Paper for today, I can see all the Members who have expressed the matter have actually presented their amendments which are going to be prosecuted in the Committee of the whole House. The mere fact that the amendments are too many, does it make it unconstitutional? My point is no. That is because law making is a process that is normally done at the Committee of the whole House. Whether it is right to do it at the tail-end of the Parliament, again, Hon. Speaker, I see no harm in that. Again, we will leave it to you to make the decision. I totally agree with them. They have issues. But I do not think that the Bill so far and the entire process is unconstitutional or illegal. We should allow Members to debate at the Committee of the whole House. If you convince the rest of the Members, your amendments will be carried. If you are unable to convince them, well, you will have another day to fight your wars. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}