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{
    "id": 1227996,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227996/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "Privatisation that has been published. I guess the comments that came from those political leaders was as a result of what was reported to have come out of a Cabinet sitting. We expect Kenyans to comment when there is a report coming from a Cabinet meeting. It is our Cabinet. As a matter of fact, the people of Kenya have to hold their Cabinet accountable. So, anything that comes from the Cabinet must be questioned and criticised if there is need to criticize it. Finally, we need to look at this Standing Order properly. It has never been amended, but it is high time it is amended. The reason why I say so is because it is contradicting our Constitution, which allows public engagement on legislative agenda before the House. We need public participation. There is no way I can engage in public participation without talking about a Bill with the public. This is one of the provisions of our Standing Orders that has been there before the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. These are some of the things that we need to change. If you look at other jurisdictions, they discuss legislative agenda that is before their Parliaments everywhere. We are called to media houses. For example, when the budget estimates and the Appropriation Bill are brought here, I will be invited by Citizen Television and the Nation Television to discuss them, as an expert on matters finance. As a Member of this House, how should I behave? Will I be accused of anticipating debate? The Committee that deals with proposed amendments to the Standing Orders needs to look at that particular Standing Order and find it to be behind our times. It should amend it so that whether you are a Member of Parliament or a fisherman along the shores of Lake Victoria, you are allowed to discuss a legislative agenda before the House. I am sure Hon. Chepkong’a, a renowned lawyer in this country, agrees with me on this. There is no way that we can discuss legislative agenda with the public without discussing it. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}