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{
    "id": 1559024,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559024/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 15,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, you will recall that on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, I reported to the House that I had received a Message from the Senate on the passage of several Bills, among them the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill (Senate Bill No.38 of 2023). It is sponsored by the Senator for Kakamega County, Sen. (Dr) Boni Khalwale, who is also the Majority Party Whip in the Senate. The Bill seeks to establish a legal framework to regulate the use of motorcycles (bodabodas) in the country by introducing new provisions for their registration, operation, and safety at the county level. Following the conveyance of the Message from the Senate, the Bill was read a First Time on Thursday, 13th February 2025, and committed to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure for consideration in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 127. I am aware that the Committee had begun engaging stakeholders on the Bill. This notwithstanding, I have since received a letter from the Speaker of the Senate informing that the sponsor of the Bill, in the Senate, requests its withdrawal and cessation of further consideration. In the letter dated 7th March 2025, the Speaker of the Senate conveys the request, noting that the Senator for Kakamega County cited widespread public outcry regarding some of the provisions of the Bill. This request presents a novel procedural scenario as this is the first time that such a request has been received in the bicameral processing of Bills in the Houses of Parliament. Notably, our Standing Orders only provide for the withdrawal of a Bill whose sponsor is a Member of this House, and also provide for co-sponsorship in the case of a Bill originating from the Senate. For clarity, Standing Order 140(1) provides, and I quote: “Before commencement of business or on the Order of the Day for any stage of the Bill being read, the Member in charge of a Bill may, without notice, claim to withdraw a Bill.” The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}