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{
    "id": 176276,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/176276/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 294,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Imanyara",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 22,
        "legal_name": "Gitobu Imanyara",
        "slug": "gitobu-imanyara"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Chairman, Sir, as much as I appreciate the good intentions in hon. Wamalwa's intended amendment, it would be a dangerous amendment. First, the Speaker of the Assembly is the Constitutional head of a Legislative Arm of Government. That is the first point to make. To make the decisions of a Temporary or a Presiding Member sitting on the Chair to overrule the decisions of the person the House has elected as the head of the Legislative Arm of Government, will be very dangerous. We considered that position and felt that this Standing Order has been in place for as long as the Standing Orders have been in place and there has not been any problem. In fact, there is a lot of merit in referring matters by those who sit in the Chair to the Speaker for a final decision as the Speaker. That is because those sitting temporarily on the Chair of the Speaker are not the head of the Legislative Arm of the Government. As much as I think the intention is good, it is unnecessary. It does not, in any way, elevate or improve the quality of debate. It does not, in any way, interfere with the pronouncements that have been made over the years. Finally, if a situation such as that arose, the Speaker can always rule. There is always inherent power in the House itself to overrule any decision, including that of the Speaker. So, I oppose this amendment and urge that we retain the current rule as it is."
}