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{
    "id": 1521686,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521686/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 246,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Secondly, Sen. Sifuna also enquired on the provisions cited; Section 17 (3) (d) and (g) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. The reference to them was on the punishment, not that the House has powers to do. The punishment that was meted to Sen. Gloria by this House is with reference to that specific Section. That she be asked to leave the House for a certain period and also apologise. That is why in the final part of the Motion, I have stated that when Sen. Gloria Orwoba returns should Members agree with this Motion, she will be admitted to this House on terms resolved by the Senate on 20th September, 2023. You have to ask yourself, what were the terms? If you have observed what happened previously when a Member has been kicked out of this House, it is a very difficult experience. It is not as easy as walking back to the House. When she comes back, it is almost similar to the first day we came to this House, where you have the rostrum placed at the door. They formally apologise to all the people they have wronged before the House finally agrees that they be admitted back. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is not like we are making this sentence lighter. I have listened to Sen. Catherine Mumma and there are two things that you may need to remember. There were two cases on this matter. One is where she contested the decision of the Senate, which a full determination has been made. The courts agreed with the decision of the Senate that we acted rightfully within the law to suspend her. That is why the sentence now holds. The second matter is the issue you are referring to where Members are saying that there is an individual who was maligned and name tarnished. That matter is still active before the court. There is no way that matter before the court can be ruled this way or the other. Sen. Mumma, what we are resolving as a House is on the issue of the number of the days that she serves the suspension. Is it 79 or 30 days? After consulting with colleagues, I felt that she will serve the punishment anyway because it needs to serve as a lesson. I sometimes see us disrespect our own authority as a House. Every time I do something that is disrespectful in this House, I am disrespecting the collective standing of this House before colleague Senators and the country. Therefore, I agree with the decision that was made by the Powers and Privilege Committee that Sen. Gloria Orwoba’s conduct must be punished. The only thing that I referenced is the fact that when granted an opportunity by the Speaker, she apologised to the House. This means that she has admitted before all of us that there is a way in which she behaved that was not up to the standing of a Senator. If that be the case, I request the House that we review the punishment from 79 to 30 calendar days, which I find to be a fair ask of us. They say, “To err is human”. That we can all sometimes mess. Sen. Eddy, this does not in any way take away the rights of the individual you are speaking about; the Clerk of the Senate. I am sure that matter is before the court. I would not wish to speak long on the issue of the dispute between them so as not to appear as if I am in support of this or the other person. He strongly feels that his rights were violated and that matter is before the court. 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."
}