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{
    "id": 1276351,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1276351/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 412,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheptumo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13591,
        "legal_name": "Cheptumo William Kipkiror",
        "slug": "cheptumo-william-kipkiror"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to second this Motion. As I do so, I inform this House how significant the Kenya Constitution, 2010 has transformed the functions of this House. If you recall, before the 2010 Constitution, the calendar of Parliament was being controlled and managed by the National Executive. However, today, Standing Order No. 32 says- “The Senate Business Committee shall, with the approval of the Senate, determine the calendar of the Senate”. It is not the Executive or the President, it is the Senate itself determining its calendar. That confirming the independence of the Senate, that we can determine when to sit, to go on recess, to come back and what business to deal with. This is a complete departure from the initial situation where the Executive would actually determine. It was the same for the date of national elections which is no longer determined by the Executive. It will now be done as per the Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you recall, the Senate Majority Leader was able to explain and outline what we have been able to achieve in this House before this Adjournment Motion. I agree with the Mover of the Motion that we have done a lot. There have been so many statements being sought by Members and replied to by the Standing Committees; many Bills before the House, debated, passed and others have gone to the other House for approval; Petitions before the House. All these confirm the functionality of this House. I think this recess is justifiable because we are doing it within our powers conferred to us by our Standing Orders and the Constitution. We now prepare for the Devolution Conference, which is also another opportunity for us as a country and a House to assess how far we are with devolution. We will also engage with the Governors so that we see how we can improve devolution. It is a justifiable Motion. I, therefore, support and second."
}