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{
    "id": 1565121,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1565121/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 61,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kavindu Muthama",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1), to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee of Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the indefinite suspension of plenary and committee operations of the County Assembly of Machakos. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Orders No.24 and 25 of the County Assembly of Machakos Standing Orders, the Assembly, by a resolution dated 25th February, 2025, approved its official calendar. The calendar stipulated that plenary sittings were scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 8th April, 2025 to Wednesday, 14th May, 2025. However, on 8th April, 2025, the Speaker of the County Assembly of Machakos issued a letter addressed to all hon. Members and the general public, informing them of the suspension of House and all committee sittings. The reason cited by the Speaker was serious threats of our personal security, that of the members of the County Assembly and the staff following disruptions of the sittings on 8th April, 2025. The letter further indicated that sittings will not resume until such a time when the safety of the Speaker and members of staff is assured. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following- (1) Under what legal and procedural framework did the Speaker unilaterally suspend Assembly sittings and whether due process was followed in so doing? (2) The import of this indefinite suspension of legislative business, including budgetary oversight and service delivery to the people of Machakos County. (3) Measures in place to ensure the suspension of the normal Assembly operations while safeguarding the safety of the Speaker, Members and staff. (4) Whether the Speaker, Members and the staff of the County Assembly will be paid their salaries for the period the House and committee sittings will be under suspension. (5) The alternative dispute resolution mechanism available to county governments and in particular, the management of the county assemblies in Kenya. (6) The actions taken by the County Executive to resolve the issues of the County Assembly and if not, the plan in place to ensure the County Assembly is operational. I thank you."
}