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{
    "id": 441487,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/441487/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 199,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Aden",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I stand to support it. I do so acknowledging the fact that, indeed, great work has gone into this Report. The recommendations in this Report are the ones that will make easier the operations of this House. We have seen the many difficulties that we have whenever Members ask Chairpersons of Committees questions. It is a problem because the Chairperson of a Committee is also an ordinary Member of this House. It is difficult for them to answer adequately the questions raised with them. Article 153(4)(b) is very clear that the Cabinet Secretaries are required to report to this House. This provision has not been implemented at all in the past. I, therefore, support very much the recommendation in this Report that we use that opportunity to have the Ministers here so that they answer questions from Members. If we do that, it will also give us a solution to the issue where the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury is required to read the Budget like his colleagues will do in the countries of East Africa. Last year, we had a lot of difficulty accommodating the Cabinet Secretary in this House. This provision will give us an opportunity to have the Cabinet Secretary read the Budget Speech. I support the fact that this Report recommends that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury shall not be asked questions even as he delivers the Budget Speech. The reason is that until last week, this House has been debating the Report by the Budget and Appropriations Committee and has in essence passed the Budget. Therefore, the Cabinet Secretary will only be here to read the Budget in compliance with the requirements of the East African countries which have agreed to be reading their respective Budget Statements simultaneously. With regard to the amendment proposed to Standing Order No.30 concerning sitting hours of the House, I also support it. This is because it has been a problem for Members of Parliament, given the element of traffic jam in Nairobi. If you leave your residence at 7.00 a.m. it is quite difficult to arrive here by 9.00 a.m. This has caused lack of quorum in this House. With the amendment that we compensate for the time and end the morning session on Wednesdays at 1.00 p.m. that is something that is highly welcomed. In any case, there is no time lost. Members of Parliament will be sitting here for the same duration of time as they were doing previously, but in a more convenient way. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}