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{
    "id": 1174545,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1174545/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 153,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "That particular Article obligates the Senate to receive a report and ascertain whether independent commissions received budget that could effectively enable them to discharge the function of their offices. Article 254 (1) of our Constitutions provides that- “As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, each commission and each holder of an independent office shall submit a report to the President and Parliament.” Further, Article 254(2) states that: “At Any time, the President, the National Assembly or the Senate may require a commission or a holder of any independent office to submit a report on a particular issue.” On the face of it, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill offends the Constitution and has provisions that are clearly in contravention of Article 249(3) and Article 254 of our Constitution. The proposed amendments on these reporting obligations of the commission and independent offices, therefore, raise issues of them being manifestly unconstitutional. More so, what is of concern is that the National Assembly seeks to sneak this Statutes Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill at the tail-end of the current term of Parliament, whereas on the face of it, it can be discerned that the provisions have far-reaching consequences. Members will recall that in the previous term of Parliament, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Treaty Making Ratification Act to vary the ratifications of treaties from being brought to Parliament to being taken only to the National Assembly. Attempts by the Senate to reverse these amendments have not succeeded as what the Senators pass, the said amendments on two occasions, the National Assembly has declined to consider and pass the same. The Bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to continue this practice of gradually chipping away through legislative and other means the mandate and functions conferred on the Senate under the Bi-cameral Parliament as provided for in the Constitution. It is a fact that both in the Executive and the National Assembly, there are elements who still believe that the Senate is unnecessary operation and they will stop at nothing in the quest to undermine and diminish the place and mandate of the Senate. I make an appeal to all Senators that this is a matter that we must resist. I, therefore, issue this Statement to bring this very important matter to the attention of the House and the Senators."
}