Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1224387,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1224387/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 183,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a very serious issue in this country. I think there is an attempt to excuse for mischief from the side where I studied. I call it excuse for mischief because if you start bringing these kinds of propositions in the Senate in the context of an ensuring ultimate accountability, then you defy your own Constitution. Let me draw your attention in the spirit of what my brother, Sen. Mungatana, has talked about. He talked of accountability to Article 125 of the Constitution. I will take my time to read it, so that he might change his mind on some of these thoughts that are shared. Article 105 of the Constitution says- “(1) Either House of Parliament, and any of its committees, has power to summon any person to appear before it for the purpose of giving evidence or providing information. (2) For the purposes of clause (1), a House of Parliament and any of its committees has the same powers as the High Court— (a) to enforce the attendance of witnesses and examine them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) to compel the production of documents; and (c) to issue a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, this power indicates that this House actually already has enough powers to summon or engage any CS. It is because they are persons within the borders of this country. However, for the benefit of doubt, for people like my brother, Sen. Mungatana, who this might not sink as much, I advance to Article 153(3) of the Constitution, which even makes it clearer. It says- “A Cabinet Secretary shall attend before a committee of the National Assembly, or the Senate, when required by the committee, and answer any question concerning a matter for which the Cabinet Secretary is responsible.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, this means that the Constitution, while understanding that we are in a presidential system, still gives us a provision that allows us to ensure that accountability. That means that the only way we can have CSs come to this House is if, as a House, we choose to change the House into a Committee of the Whole. This is"
}