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{
    "id": 130528,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/130528/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 389,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, I have another Communication to make. On Wednesday, 19th August, 2009, during the Afternoon Sitting, the Member of Parliament for Chepalungu, hon. Isaac Ruto, rose on a point of order seeking guidance from the Chair regarding a letter he received from the Chief-of-Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister. The Member sought to know who can give communication on issues before the Floor of the House from the Office of the Prime Minister, and whether it is the Chief-of-Staff or the Permanent Secretary. Hon. Members, the Chair has gone through the letter which bears the letter-head of the Office of the Prime Minister and addressed to all ODM Members of Parliament. The subject matter of the point of order by Mr, Isaac Ruto involves a communication to members of a political party and not on a matter before the House. All official correspondences on parliamentary matters are usually channeled through the Office of the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that the Chair will not wish to be involved in matters touching on affairs of political parties as the Chair has no role over party matters. The Chair should, therefore, not be dragged into party affairs unless it pertains to business before the House, or the matter being raised has hampered a Member’s performance in discharging his/her mandate as a Member of Parliament on the Floor of the House. I am certain that there are mechanisms within the party hierarchy to deal with such matters. Hon. Members, from the foregoing and in view of the fact that Mr. Ruto did not specifically indicate to the Chair that the letter has interfered with his role as a Member of Parliament, I wish to direct that the letter laid by the Member does not fall within the ambit of the House. The Chair is also oblivious to the cardinal rule of separation of powers. The fact that the letter laid had a letterhead of the Office of the Prime Minister is a matter best left to be sorted out by the Executive arm of the Government. The Chair will not usurp the role of the Executive, as it is up to them to ensure that the public officer adhere to the Public Officers Ethics Act and Code of Conduct when performing their duties."
}