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{
    "id": 1382012,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1382012/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 182,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheptumo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13591,
        "legal_name": "Cheptumo William Kipkiror",
        "slug": "cheptumo-william-kipkiror"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also rise to add my voice to what is being discussed. Article 124 of our Constitution mandates this House and the National Assembly to establish committees and make Standing Orders for the orderly conduct of the proceedings of the House. Therefore, our Standing Orders have the full force of the Constitution of Kenya. The provisions of Standing Order No. 51 (a) all the way to 51 (d) have the full force of this Constitution. This is the assembly of the national leaders of our country, elected and nominated, to deal with matters of concern to our counties and the county governments. How do we do so? We do so through the various structures in place, including asking questions to the Cabinet Secretaries. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is important for us to realise that the institution that sought this House to amend the Standing Orders is the President himself, who requested both National Assembly and Senate to amend the Standing Orders, so that the Cabinet Secretaries are able to appear and answer questions of concern to our electorate. It is paining and disappointing that when the date is scheduled for our Cabinet Secretaries to appear, they do not do so. I agree that, perhaps there are situations where they write to you, as our Speaker, giving justifiable reasons they cannot appear. It is indeed acceptable that a Cabinet Secretary should, in good time, be able to address the House why they are unable to appear. However, my concern is that the trend is continuing to happen. My worry is that as we proceed, this avenue of these Senators being able to use to deal with matters of concern to their counties will diminish. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services, Senate."
}