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{
    "id": 1381153,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1381153/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 308,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much. I beg to second the Second Reading of the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.51 of 2022). I fully associate with the debate and expressions of the Mover, Hon. Ochieng’, and state that it is important that we look at this Act given the constant amendments we have made to our Standing Orders as regards public petitions. We now have a Public Petitions Committee that deals with all Petitions coming from the public, save for designated ones that have to go to relevant technical Committees of the House. It is also important to state the proposed amendments beginning with a requirement that one has to provide evidence when presenting a petition to Parliament. First, you have to provide your name, address, contact number, physical residence, email address, and telephone number. This is vital for one to be contacted when it becomes necessary to either appear before a Committee or receive the verdict of the Committee. We also have a proposed amendment that it is important to provide evidence or judgment where matters are pending before a court so that the Committee knows exactly how far the matter has gone and whether it is sub judice. Proceedings before a court may be limited in that pleadings may suffice. A judgment or decree of the court may serve the purpose. We have the proposed amendment on the Clerk of the relevant House conveying the petition to the Committee to ascertain whether a petition meets the requirements. That is extremely important so that, instead of summarily dismissing the Petition where it has an out of merit, let the Committee make that decision. We have also other provisions introduced so that petitions move with speed. As stated in the proposed amendment, the public will expect an outcome when petitions come here. We have the Committee summarily rejecting a petition where the petition has not met the requirements of the Constitution or there is a pending case in court. If a petitioner fails to comply with the directions of the Committee given under this Act, again, that particular petition can be rejected. Where the petition meets the relevant requirements, the Committee will forward the petition to the Clerk of the National Assembly who will in turn transmit it to the Speaker for tabling in the House. This is where the Speaker comes over and reads the petition and then commits it to the relevant committee of the House. We have a new Section V being introduced where every petition shall, upon tabling before the respective House of Parliament, stand referred to the relevant Committee established for the purpose of considering petitions in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House. What Parliament has in mind here is that the National Assembly has a Public Petitions Committee, and this is the Committee being referred to here with exceptions that there are some petitions which may be referred to other committees depending on their nature. Finally, the Committee will communicate its decision in writing to the petitioner. Again, this is very important because the petitioner is out there awaiting the outcome of the petition and needs to know, through a written communication, what this House has decided on it. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}