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{
    "id": 1426995,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426995/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 73,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank colleagues who took time to speak to the Houses of Parliament (Bicameral Relations) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 44 of 2023). In my moving notes on this Bill, I pointed out to the House that in my humble opinion and having seen this battle run for ages, this Bill presents us with an opportunity to succeed or fail spectacularly as a House, in something that we believed to be our turf that has been taken away by the National Assembly. Therefore, even as we debate, there have been debates on the proper time for a Committee to present a report on a particular Bill. On many occasions, there are two schools of thought. If you are a keen follower of parliamentary practice, you know that in almost every conversation, there are two sides to it. On this procedure of tabling a Committee report, some hold the view that the proper time to table a Committee report is after debate on the Second Reading by the House. Members of Parliament (MPs) represent the people. They do not speak on their own behalf but for the people that they represent. Thus, their views can also be captured in that report and inform the amendments that the Committee will bring at the Committee of the Whole Stage. Those who hold the contrary view say that the Committee, having listened to stakeholders including the users of that piece of legislation and eventually members of the public, therefore, have specifics on the issues that are being deliberated on. When they present their report, Members can eventually read it, which informs their debate. Both are right in a sense because if you follow both schools of thought, then there is merit to both arguments. However, my position on such is that in certain instances, both schools of thought can be wrong, and this is one such instance. I said that the users of this Bill are the Members of Parliament who are found in the Senate and the National Assembly. This is why the voices of Members need to be heard. Unfortunately, in the last few weeks when this Bill has been before the House, I saw only two or three Members speak to it every time an opportunity was presented. I have listened to most of them. Nonetheless, in truth and fairness, like last week when many of them spoke, I was out of the country and did not listen to their views. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}