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"id": 1375817,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
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"id": 13588,
"legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
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"content": "Therefore, we are not taking away the powers of the police, but we are bringing a provision that, the Inspector General shall facilitate that officer of parliament to ensure that the arrest is done. This particular Clause ensures that this Bill or this particular amendment is in line with Article 245 of the Constitution, which gives independence to the Office of the Inspector General of Police. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, at the same time, if you go to Article 245 (2b), it talks about the independence of the Inspector General, but then it also says the Inspector- General will perform any other functions prescribed by the national legislation. Thus, by saying that the Inspector-General of Police shall facilitate, that is in line with Article 245, and there is nothing unconstitutional about it. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there was also the issue of where to hold the witnesses. If you look at the amendments, under Clause 4 (7), it 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 the purposes of holding such persons; (b) be produced before a court, or a House, or a Committee that summoned that person on the next day.” This covers that and it deals with the issue of constitutionality. This individual will be held at a gazetted place where such witnesses are held, or a place designated by the Clerk. For the purpose of this House, we have a police station in the precincts of Parliament, and that is where such a person can be held. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not want to belabour the point, because Members have exhaustively discussed this Bill. I want to encourage Members who have amendments to approach the Clerk and make the amendments. I will also be making amendments to reflect the views expressed by Members. I want to thank the Members, and I know this Bill is going to be passed by this House. I want to ask the Members of the National Assembly to also do the same because they go through the same challenges we are going through. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this week, it was reported that a top officer of a revenue collection agency in this country was summoned by the National Assembly for failing to appear before the National Assembly for a record 14 times and there are many other cases like that. Therefore, I think this is the time that Parliament needs to exercise its powers. I want to encourage that we have an overhaul of the parent Act of the Powers and Privileges Act, so that we can deal with the issue of contempt of Parliament. I also want to request that according to Standing Order No.66(3), the putting of the question be deferred to a later date because of the numbers here. I thank you."
}