Entry Instance

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{
    "id": 1521625,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521625/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "informed the Senate on how the Janjaweed came to be and its metamorphosis to Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Other Senators who made comments to the point of order included Sen. Kinyua, Sen. Methu and Sen. Omogeni. Sen. Okiya Omtatah’s response to the point of order by Sen. Osotsi was to refer the Senate to a URL; https://www.cfr.org//global-conflict-tracker//conflict-power-struggle-sudan, despite being directed severally by the Chair to submit the same as evidence for substantiation with the Clerks-at-the-Table. His argument was that he had provided a URL as evidence for substantiation to the point of order raised by Sen. Osotsi. Sen. Okiya Omtatah subsequently walked out of the Chamber, while comments on the point of order by other Senators referred to above were being made. Although he had exited the Chamber, the Chair required Sen. Okiya Omtatah to submit evidence to the claim he made regarding the Janjaweed . At the subsequent sitting held on Thursday, 20th February, 2025, the Chair, by way of Communication from the Chair, invited Sen. Okiya Omtatah to submit evidence in support of his claim referred to above. Sen. Okiya Omtatah maintained his argument that the URL he had uttered was sufficient substantiation, pursuant to Standing Order No.105. That being the case, I undertook to review the material and give a ruling on the matter, as it was not practical to make a determination then. Hon. Senators, from the foregoing, two items stand out for substantiation with respect to the point of order by Sen. Osotsi. (1) Who the Janjaweed group is in general; and, (2) Whether the Janjaweed has a base of operation or an office in Kenya. As you may recall, I have on several occasions issued communications from the Chair, stating that any document or evidence tabled by a Senator in the Senate as evidence for substantiation of any allegations made under Standing Order No.105, must pass a certain threshold. The obligation of the speaker in such matters is to review the document or evidence tabled, determine the admissibility, establish whether the documents, if admissible, provide evidence of the claims made and finally make a ruling whether, accordingly, the threshold under Standing Order No. 105 has been met. In undertaking the foregoing assessment, the following are the parameters that guide the Speaker. (1) Is the evidence tabled from a source from which by parliamentary practice, is official and admissible? (2) If the answer to (1) is in the affirmative, does the evidence relate to and verify the claim that was made and for which substantiation was required? Hon. Senators, you will appreciate that media has evolved across different digital platforms in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT). It is, therefore, imperative for Parliament and specifically the Senate, to adapt to the changing technological times and where necessary, amend its rules to accommodate digital electronic evidence. Having reviewed the URL uttered by Sen. Omtatah, I now turn to the parameters of admissibility that I have referred to. 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."
}