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{
    "id": 1227116,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227116/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I support the Motion moved by the Senate Majority Leader, in the context of the amendment of this House’s Calendar, so that we facilitate the appearance of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), on Wednesday morning Sittings to answer Questions which hon. Members would have put forward regarding their respective ministries. I have listened to the comments and contributions by Sen. M. Kajwang’. I confirm that the SBC sat, debated on the issues, pros, cons and the reasons which were put forward as to why we need this Cabinet Secretaries to appear before this House. I am alive to the fact that this House also debated the Motion to amend the Standing Orders, which was acrimonious. However, at the end of the day, this House is mandated to make sure that the people, who have been given mandate as Cabinet Secretaries, are responsible for what happens in their ministries. That responsibility can only be achieved when the said Cabinet Secretaries are called upon by the House to respond substantively to the Questions which hon. Senators have asked. I am aware that there are Questions regarding the performance by those Cabinet Secretaries in the ministries on the roles, which Kenyans expect them to do. I am equally aware that there is an issue that was raised with regard to the appearance of Cabinet Secretaries in the House, while being non-Members of the House. I want to convince Members that the conversation was in context of a misunderstanding of the persons who will be expected to appear before this House. The order has been put very clearly by Sen. M. Kajwang’. The people who will appear before this House are Cabinet Secretaries who were constitutionally appointed, vetted by the National Assembly and sworn into office. Those are the only ones who will appear here. We do not expect any other character or person to appear in this House, other than a Cabinet Secretary. This House has got its membership established by the Constitution. That appearance cannot be construed as the person coming as a Member of this House. It is a member who has been summoned to appear, to answer to questions relevant to their delivery of service to the people of Kenya. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion. I encourage Members of this House to heed the provisions of those Standing Orders. We should ensure that we put forward Questions that will support the performance of the House in its roles of legislation, oversight and in ensuring that the people of Kenya are served by people whom we have elevated and enjoy their offices courtesy of taxpayers’ money. The Question time, kind of Questions and how they are supposed to be put forward has been specifically provided for. The opportunity to grant Members additional time for Supplementary Questions gives us an opportunity beyond the written Questions."
}