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{
    "id": 1526119,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1526119/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet West, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Timothy Kipchumba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Independent Members, as a coordination and advocacy platform to safeguard the interests of Independent Members of this House. Cognisant of the fact that the caucus of Independent Members selected one of their Members to sit in the Committee on Selection in order to protect, defend and uphold the interests of the Independent Members of this House, Independent Members are nominated to committees, through the Committee on Selection, as per Standing Order 173, which provides that the caucus of Independent Members of Parliament - which has been formally recognised by this House - submits names of their preferred committees. Concerned that the Whip of the Majority Party has jurisdiction over Members of the Majority Party, but does not have authority or jurisdiction over Independent Members, who are not bound by the party's disciplinary or attendance guidelines, I acknowledge the importance of fair representation in committee assignments and the autonomy of Independent Members in the governance of parliamentary business. Hon. Speaker, in your direction yesterday, you ruled that what was before the House was reconstitution of committees rather than discharge of Members. Be that as it may, can House committees be reconstituted without taking into account the interests of the names submitted by the caucus of Independent Members of Parliament? I seek your ruling on the following issues: 1. Whether in the process of reconstituting committees, the Whip of the Majority Party can remove or re-assign Independent Members of Parliament without consulting them or the caucus of Independent Members of Parliament. 2. Whether such re-allocation or re-assignment or reconstitution would violate the role of the Committee on Selection as outlined under Standing Order 173 and the principle of fair representation in committees. Hon. Speaker, I request for one minute to explain myself further. We have 12 Members of Parliament elected on independent ticket to this National Assembly. I am one of them. I am here not because of a political party, but sent here directly by the people of Marakwet West. The practice in this House was that, when the first committees were nominated, we sat down, formed a caucus, which was formally recognised by yourself, Hon. Speaker. We nominated our Members to serve in select committees in which they want to serve in. We have one Independent Member, Hon. Caroline Ng’elechei, who sits on the Committee on Selection to protect the interests of the ‘independents’ in this House. I am not under the guidance or leadership of Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, who is the Leader of the Majority Party. He is not my leader in this House. I am an Independent Member. I am not under the guidance or supervision of Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah. I am not under the guidance or supervision of the Whips of the Majority or Minority parties of this House. I have been removed from the committee, but I have no issue. However, for posterity, it is good that you give a ruling to protect Independent Members of this House who are elected from their constituencies to serve the interests of their people on the Floor of this House. I invite your ruling on those two fundamental issues, so that the interests of all the Independent Members of this House are not subverted."
}