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{
    "id": 1371831,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1371831/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 198,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, in less than five minutes, I rise to support this amendment to the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. Respect to Parliament is paramount. In any attempt to disregard summons that is a constant thing for the Executive is a clear undermining of this Legislative Arm of Government. The Senator from Vihiga County thought it wise. I remind him that this is a matter that must be supported by both sides of the divide. This is because even in the name of the Bill, it is Parliamentary Powers and Privileges. If you look at Article 125 of the Constitution, it is quite clear. It gives the House of Parliament and Committees the same powers as a High Court. I have heard my colleagues talk about giving Parliament the power to arrest, but I hold a different view. I believe that power to arrest has to remain with the police because that is what the Constitution defines. The only thing that I would request my brother, Senator for Vihiga County, is to amend Section19 (7) where he says- “A person arrested under subsection (3) shall - (a) be held at such a place as specified in the National Police Service Act or as shall be designated by the Clerk for purposes of holding such persons;” I do not believe we should invite ourselves to the work of the police. The police should be able to do their work. There is a clear separation of powers between the three Arms of Government. Ours is to call for the respect of this August House. Madam Temporary Speaker, the framers of the Constitution defined Article 125 because they clearly understood that once you are summoned to appear before this House as a witness and fail to do so, the Executive arm of Government which wants to enjoy a cordial relationship with this other Arm of Government, will facilitate to ensure that you are arrested and compelled to appear before that House. One of the things that I support in this amendment is the fact that the fines are being increased from half a million to Kshs2 million. When I was a Member of the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee, we exercised Section 19 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, which my brother is now seeking to amend. We compelled two Governors. I know the former Governor of Kitui County, Charity"
}