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{
    "id": 388675,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/388675/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 39,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 129,
        "legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
        "slug": "james-orengo"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I seek guidance from the Chair in relation to this matter because my worry is that the decision to have this matter discussed without giving us some broad outlines on how the Chair arrived at this decision, may be, in the future, abused. You may sometime in the future, be confronted with a situation where the leaders of the Majority or the Minority may bring before you matters which, on the face of them, would not be characterized as urgent or exceptional business. I stand guided that in making that decision, the Speaker must give some guidelines as to what constitutes a matter which is urgent and which is exceptional business. The answer to that question lies in the Standing Orders. My proposition is that if we look at Standing Order No.59, what are categorized as special motions are motions that require intervention which will lead to something being done in terms of the Constitution or the law. It is not just an open slate whereby, for example, if I wanted, probably, one of the members of Parliament to be impeached or his character discussed, then I can come to the Chair and say: “This is an urgent matter which requires discussion.” We have seen this in the past when Dr. Karanja’s character was discussed in the House as an urgent matter. The issue of hon. Charles Njonjo was also discussed as an urgent matter. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want you to be patient with me because this decision we are making--- Because this is the inaugural Senate, we must set the standards that, in future, anybody sitting on your Chair will be able to determine what is urgent and what is exceptional. If you look at the various provisions of the Constitution which are mentioned in Standing Order No.59--- In all those provisions from Article 102 to Article 240, you will find that the Constitution says that without a resolution of Parliament that cannot happen. For example, if we want to go to war, a resolution of Parliament is required. If there is a question of Division of Revenue as provided under the Standing Orders, there is a resolution of Parliament which is required. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to take you through one of those provisions to demonstrate my point. Normally, Parliaments are busy with many other things and cannot just be called any time. Article 102 deals with the term of Parliament and how it can be extended. Article 102(2) says:- “When Kenya is at war, Parliament may, by resolution supported in each House by at least two-thirds of all the members of the House, from time to time extend the term of Parliament by not more than six months at a time.” Therefore, a resolution of Parliament is required under that particular article. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}