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{
    "id": 1228530,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1228530/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 19,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "This is provided for in Part XII of the Standing Orders. Consequently, we also altered the Senate Calendar to provide for a morning sitting every Wednesday when CSs will appear before the Senate. In line with the resolution of the Senate, when considering the fifth Report of the Procedure and Rules Committee on the amendments to the Senate Standing Orders, I would like to remind hon. Members that the effective date of the procedure for Questions is today, Tuesday, 11th April, 2023. I urge all hon. Senators to familiarize themselves with the new framework. You will recall that on 28th March, 2023, I issued a Communication guiding the Senate on the manner in which Questions shall be considered. The guidelines provide for filing, internal review, approval and scheduling of Questions on the Order Paper. They also detail the procedure for the disposal of Questions in Plenary. In your own interest, I also appeal to Senators to familiarize themselves with the guidelines. Hon. Senators, in the next couple of days, we will expect the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to table its report on the Division of Revenue Bill. The passage of the Division of Revenue Bill will be followed by the introduction of the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill and respective Cash Disbursement Schedules. These are crucial financial instruments for the effective functioning of county governments. As you already see from the Order Paper and the weekly programme of business of the House, we resume our sittings with an already full plate. The new legislative tool in the form of Questions also adds to this in-tray. The Chair will be keen to ensure that the legislative agenda of the Senate moves at a faster pace in this part of the Calendar compared to the first. This requires that we manage the time of the House more efficiently. It also means that certain decisions will be made by the Chair pertaining to the time allocation for Petitions, Questions and Statements as per the Standing Orders and in the guidelines for processing of Questions. In addition, the use of Standing Order No.98 pertaining to points of order during debate will be applied in the manner stipulated. It goes without saying that Movers of business in the Order Paper must be in the Senate to prosecute the same. The Chair will not hesitate to drop from the Order Paper any business that upon being called, the Mover is absent without notification to the Speaker. In the same vein, I call upon the Senate Leadership to ensure that the requisite number of Senators is in the House for Divisions to be undertaken in a timely manner. Hon. Senators, in conclusion, the Senate Business Committee (SBC) has approved a schedule for Committee Chairpersons to issue Statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 56(1) (b). The first three select Committees are already scheduled in today’s Order Paper. We look forward to hearing the work that Committees are undertaking, impact that this work is making, their plans for the next few months, and a report on the status of implementation of resolutions of the Senate. I wish you fruitful deliberations and wish all hon. Senators well in this part of the Calendar. I thank you. Senators, you may walk in. I have two more Communications to make."
}