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{
"id": 1547512,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547512/?format=api",
"text_counter": 46,
"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 am speaking on a related matter, not specific to a statement, but something that concerns me. As the Senate Majority Leader, I follow the work of committees, and see the kind of work that our committees have to put up with. I am increasingly getting concerned on the level of workload that we are giving to our committees with regards to statements. If you speak to chairpersons and members of the various committees, committees predominantly handle Bills that are before them, Petitions and Statements. I beg for your indulgence on this matter, so that perhaps, as a House, we can think through it and take a decision. We run the risk of being the Senate that considered statements only. Our committees are due to report to us before we break for recess. If you follow through the reports, you will realize that the biggest workload for most of our committees is actually to respond to Statements. With no specific reference to any particular Senator or issue, I know this is not a very nice conversation to have, but this is my honest opinion. My colleagues could perhaps hold a slightly different view to it, but this is what I feel. I say this as somebody who has served in this House long enough to know the difference between what is a Statement that befits consideration by a committee of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya, and others that are pursuing matters that do not meet that particular threshold. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not know what procedure you can put in place, so that at least we can save our committees the time of having to consider certain matters, which perhaps, can either be dealt with by that Member, either by writing directly to the agency or being left to be dealt with at the County Assembly level, especially if there is absolutely no relation to the stature of the Senate as an institution, and it is a matter that purely, perhaps will concern only that particular Senator and their county. If we do not make a decision on this matter, you will soon realize that at the very least, each of our 14 committees have no less than 200 Statements to consider. Tell me how practical it is possible for all our committees to consider those Statements, respond, and give quality feedback to Senators who are raising these statements. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we must have a conversation about what is the threshold which a Statement meets for it to be considered, that we can send it to the committee of the House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is my concern, which I beg your indulgence on. Perhaps, you can guide us on how we can make a decision on that particular matter. I do not know if the chairpersons are concerned, but I am particularly concerned about that issue."
}