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{
    "id": 1270973,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1270973/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 125,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheptumo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13591,
        "legal_name": "Cheptumo William Kipkiror",
        "slug": "cheptumo-william-kipkiror"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant Standing Order No. 56 (1)(b) to make a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations for the period between 1st April and 30th June, 2023. Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the period under review, the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations held a total of 18 sittings, considered three legislative proposals, 19 Statements, two Petitions and one Resolution from Elgeyo-Marakwet County Assembly. The Committee also held one retreat and hosted two visiting delegations from other Parliaments. In respect of legislative proposals, the Committee considered the following- (a) The Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023; (b) The Draft Disaster Management Bill; and (c) The Draft Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill. Pursuant to Standing Order 131 (1) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Committee conducted pre-publication scrutiny of the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023 sponsored by Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, MP. The Bill sought to introduce a New Section 3A to the Public Holidays Act to provide for the extension of public holidays falling on a Tuesday or Thursday. The Committee recommended that the Bill should not proceed for publication for the following reasons- (a) Some businesses have specific output targets, therefore reducing the business working days as a result of the extension of public holidays may mean that employers would be compelled to meet the cost of salary payments for the days not worked for or incur hefty overtime compensation as a result of employees working on a public holiday. (b) The majority of employees in Kenya are casual laborers who rely on a daily wage to meet their daily needs. A reduction in their business working days as a result of the extension of public holidays on weekdays may therefore hinder their ability to meet the basic needs for themselves and their families. (c) Public holidays also disrupt businesses by reducing working days and consequently reducing business output. For example, the public transport, manufacturing, and industrial sectors may register low proceeds during the holidays. The Committee is sponsoring the Disaster Management Bill whose key objective is to provide a framework for effective and coordinated disaster management at the national and county level. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to remedy the misinterpretation of functions between the National Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of the National Police Service. The Committee is in the process of engaging various stakeholders prior to publication of the two Bills."
}