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{
    "id": 1225352,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1225352/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 438,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. As I rise to support this Motion, I must, first of all, speak to the issue that led to where we are today. In the history of this House, I am aware that in the 12th Parliament, the Standing Orders of this House were amended not once or twice but more than that. In December, 2018, the Standing Orders were amended in order to change the structure of the committees of this House. This House formerly went through the procedure that we are currently undertaking. In July, 2020, an amendment to the Standing Orders was also conducted where virtual sittings were accommodated by the House in the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In December, 2021, similar amendments were done to the Standing Orders of this House. Speaking to the Motion that has just been moved by Senate Majority Leader, it is informed by the need to have the House progress in transacting its business. One of the reasons why this Motion has been moved is to ensure that there is some level of accountability in the Executive by ensuring the Cabinet Secretaries have an opportunity to appear before the Senate to answer questions from Members of this House and also from their representation responsibility conferred to them by the members of the public. They ask questions so that the Executive can answer not only to this House but also to the general public because this is a House that has got roles and responsibilities to deliver to the public. The proposed amendments to the Standing Orders are on that particular line. I do not see the reason why my colleagues from the Minority Side are saying this is wrong. I moved the notice on the Floor of the House yesterday and nobody objected to it. It was passed and that is the basis upon which today the Motion has been properly moved by the Senate Majority Leader. Allow me to speak to the issue of numbers. If they were to spare a moment to look at the document placed before them, annexure No. 3 has got the list of names of the Members of the Procedure and Rules Committee that sat and approved the Report. That number is not four as alleged; it is five. I want to ask my colleagues to spare some time and deal with the document that has been presented before them before they raise matters on procedure and numbers which are glaring. Madam Temporary Speaker, this amendment makes specific proposals. The first one is about the timeliness within which communication from the Chair is to be made. I am aware that the Senate Majority Leader has alluded to that fact. Three weeks ago, we had that challenge in the House."
}