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    "id": 307148,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/307148/?format=api",
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    "content": "very clear that once a petition - and Dr. Khalwale had raised this concern – is tabled in Parliament under this Act, it shall be considered in accordance with the Standing Orders of the relevant House. So, whether it is the Senate or the National Assembly, the Standing Orders are very clear under Standing Order No.210(2) that, once the petition is presented- -- Whenever a petition is committed to a department of the Government, the Minister responsible or any other designated Minister shall – and it is using mandatory words - in not more than twenty-one calendar days from the time of reading the prayer, respond to the petitioner by way of a Statement in the House addressed to the petitioner or petitioners. Whenever a petition is committed to the National Assembly, the relevant committee shall, in not more than twenty-one calendar days from the time of reading the prayer, respond to the petitioner by way--- So, I believe this Bill as drawn together with our Standing Orders has a very clear procedure on the line of action and form of petition. We will be able to act on it. I also agree with Ms. Karua that, perhaps, the Implementing Committee of the House also needs to follow up to ensure implementation in terms of actions on the petitions. That is because as I said, there are some that are still pending. But there were others that were handled very well by this House and I am very grateful to you, Mr. Speaker. You gave directions on a petition I brought before this House on persons with albinism and, because of the action taken by this House on that petition alone, the Government set aside Kshs200 million to assist persons with albinism and persons with disabilities, including getting them sunscreen lotions to help them avoid cancer of the skin. We want to say that this Bill is important. We agree with some hon. Members who have suggested that, perhaps, we need civic education. We need members of the public to know that there is a channel in this House for them to come directly, speak to us and petition us on matters that concern them. This has happened before with tremendous benefit to those who have had time to petition this House. I also want to agree with Messrs. Wetangula and Benjamin Langat. It is important that when Kenyans come to this House, they must know where to go and present the petitions. So, we will need an office or a designated area where petitions are presented in an orderly manner and members of the public can get support from staff of the House to ensure that petitions are received properly and processed expeditiously. This will be very important. The form in which the petitions are presented, we are going digital. We are migrating from the analogue technology to digital technology. I think time has come when we will not just require someone moving all the way from Todonyang, Mfangano, Migingo or even Faza Island and the remotest areas of this country to come here with a bulky petition, when it can be done through technology. So, Mr. Wetangula, I want to appreciate that contribution and say that we will improve on this as we go to the Committee Stage. With those few remarks, I beg to move and thank hon. Members for supporting it."
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