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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in other words, this calendar is interim and the Senate, for reasons that can be given or justified, can actually alter these dates in accordance with Standing Order No.27(2) of the Standing Orders of this House. Furthermore, Standing Order No. 27(3) says as follows:- “Subject to paragraph (1), the Senate shall continue to be in session and may adjourn for such number of days as it may determine in its calendar.” Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, again, this is to emphasize or to underscore the interim nature of this calendar. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, by and large, this has been done. What I just need to emphasize is that all the other avenues, even during recess, of reconvening the House remain open. For example, under Standing Order No.29, there is the provision of Special Sittings of the Senate. This can only happen on the request of the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader, with the support of at least 15 Senators. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, by and large, I think this is a straight forward matter. It is a matter which is tentative for public information, because if you look at the Standing Orders, the reasons we need to publicize our calendar is two things. One, it reaffirms the independence that the Legislature enjoys today from the Executive. This is because in the past, the calendar of Parliament used to be determined by the Executive. The President could recall the House at any time and, also, perhaps interfere with the dates of the sittings of the House. So, the first reason for this publication, to my mind and according to the law is, first of all, to assert the independence of this House. Secondly and more important, it is for public information so that any person who wants to engage members of the public in any manner by way of petition or by way of influencing legislation can know when the Senate is in session and when it is on recess. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, with regard to this calendar for this session, it is also important to justify that the recess periods are important because this is the time that hon. Senators are able to engage with their constituents in the counties. This is the time also when some of the Committees can visit places across the country and familiarize themselves with issues of importance to their mandate. It is in this connection, therefore, that the recess periods have been packaged to allow considerable amount of time, three times a year. If you look at the calendar of the National Assembly, they also have three blocks of recesses, although theirs are classified; in every part there is a short recess and a long recess. But the upshot is that there are three major recess periods generally around April, August and then at the end of the calendar year, that is around December, so that then the third Session can begin in February, 2015. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, without much ado, I beg to move this Motion and request Sen. Chris Obure, the Senator for Kisii County, to second. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}