Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1239040,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1239040/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 19,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Office of the Clerk prepares the Order Paper and publishes it in the Parliamentary website and circulates to all Senators via other electronic means on the eve of the Sitting. This is done so as to, inter-alia, allow Senators with Business on the Order Paper to prepare adequately. Hon. Senators, in the past few weeks, there have been several cases where Senators are not in the Chamber to prosecute the Businesses, including Statements, Bills, Motions and Amendments to Bills. This situation has made it necessary for the Chair to defer such Business, thereby inconveniencing fellow Senators. This action has led to some Business clogging the Order Paper with a number of Statements, Motions and Bills being a permanent feature in the Order Paper. This matter was deliberated upon at a meeting of the Senate Business Committee (SBC) held Today, 2nd May, 2023. The Committee observed with concern that incidents of lack of Movers have become more frequent and persistent. This state of affairs has the potential of derailing the legislative mandate of the Senate. The Committee urged that I make a Communication on this matter today. Hon. Senators, Standing Orders No.256 states as follow: “A Senator intending to travel outside Kenya whether in an official or private capacity, shall give to the Speaker a written notice to that effect, indicating – (a) The destination intended to be visited. (b) The dates of the intended travel and period of absence from Kenya. (c) The email, telephone contact, postal or physical address of the Senator during the period of absence from Kenya.” It should also be noted that under Article 103(1)(b) of the Constitution, the office of a Member of Parliament (MP), becomes vacant if during any Session of Parliament, the Member is absent from eight Sittings of the relevant House without permission in writing from Speaker; and is unable to offer satisfactory explanation for the absence to the relevant Committee. Going forward, failure to adhere to these provisions will result in the application of Standing Order No.64(3) which states as follows: “Where no Senator moves a Motion and indeed any other business belonging to that Senator at the time specified by or under these Standing Orders, such Motions shall not be published again in the Order Paper during the same session, except where the leave of Speaker is sought.” Hon. Senators, I urge all Senators to observe the provisions of the affirmation Standing Orders and ensure they are available in the House to prosecute the Business as scheduled on the Order Paper. Movers of amendments to Bills, who will not be in the Chamber at the required time, shall also be subjected to the provisions of the Standing Order No.64(3), translating to the amendments being dropped and consideration of the Bill shall proceed without amendments. Kindly, be guided accordingly."
}