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"id": 186962,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/186962/?format=api",
"text_counter": 181,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Speaker",
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"content": "Hon. Members, I am aware that the hon. Member for Nambale had requested a Ministerial Statement on the operationalization of the Privatisation Act in respect of a particular matter. The Minister for Finance has requested the indulgence of the House until the 6th August, 2008. So, that Ministerial Statement will be issued on the 6th August, 2008. CARRYING OUT DEBATE OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT AGAINST STANDING ORDERS Hon. Members, on Tuesday, 29th July, 2008, the hon. Member of Parliament for Gem, Mr. Midiwo, rose on a point of order and alleged that the hon. Member for Kipipiri, Mr. Kimunya, had on Sunday, 27th July, 2008 talked on matters touching on the Grand Regency Hotel, which matters are currently being investigated by the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade, in a public rally during a thanksgiving ceremony organized by the hon. Member for Kinangop, Mr. David Mwaniki Ngugi. The hon. Member for Gem also sought to know from the Speaker whether he had given any assurances to Mr. Kimunya that the Motion censuring him, and which was debated on 2nd July, 2008, had not been properly before the House. I wish to confirm to the House that, indeed, I attended the aforesaid thanksgiving function following an invitation by Mr. Ngugi. The hon. Member for Kinangop is one of my long-time friends, whom I knew even before he was elected to this august House, both of us having worked in the private sector for many years, and more so in the Mombasa station. For the record, I have on different occasions attended other prayer and thanksgiving ceremonies on invitation by Members of Parliament whenever time has allowed me to do so. Indeed, I have also attended my own thanksgiving and prayer ceremony, to which hon. Members were invited and a sizeable number kindly graced the occasion. From the outset, I want to assure the House that the Motion of censure moved by the hon. Member for Ikolomani, Dr. Khalwale, on 2nd July, 2008 on the then Minister for Finance was properly processed and brought to the House. Dr. Khalwale delivered a copy of the proposed Motion in writing to the Clerk of the National Assembly, who then submitted the same to the Chair and the Chair approved it pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.40. Subsequently, the Motion was presented to the House Business Committee, which allocated time for debate. The House may wish to note that Mr. Kimunya was, and still is, a Member of the House Business Committee while the Chair is not. As Members may recall, on 8th July, 2008, I directed the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade which had been investigating the Grand Regency Hotel saga, to conclude its work within two weeks and I urged hon. Members to refrain from revisiting the matter, whether inside or outside the House, until the Committee presents its report to the House. The full text of my ruling as is relevant was as follows, and I quote:- 2276 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 31, 2007 \"As we move to close this matter for the moment, I want to take this opportunity to appeal to, and urge hon. Members that, in the light of the ruling which has been made by the Chair, that the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade should continue its investigations into this matter, complete and compile a report for debate and adoption by the House. Hon. Members should restrain themselves from commenting on this matter outside Parliament. I will, therefore, expect that comments which have been made in the recent past, at funerals and homecoming parties will cease forthwith. Otherwise, the Chair will deal with that matter appropriately in the light of our Standing Orders and Powers and Privileges Act. Please note.\" I have obtained and listened to the tape recording which contains the statement attributed to the Member for Kipipiri and other speeches made during the said function in order to ascertain the content of exactly what Mr. Kimunya said. For the benefit of the House, let me quote extracts from his speech which he gave in Kiswahili:-"
}