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{
    "id": 572004,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/572004/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 305,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "July 22nd, 2015 SENATE DEBATES 46 Sen. Okong’o",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, sometimes, it is difficult to second a Bill after the professor of law has spoken. However, let me try to highlight some of the issues that he has captured. The essence of this Bill is to effect Article 117 of the Constitution. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 bestowed some rights and freedoms to Members of Parliament (MPs). Those freedoms and rights also come with responsibilities which have been captured in this Bill. The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill (Senate Bill No.15 of 2014) outlines rules and regulations for Members on how to behave. They are also protected. For example, recently, a Member of this House was served with a court summons while he was within the precincts of Parliament. Those who came to serve him may have looked at the lacunae which was inherent. Previously, the Powers and Privileges Bill covered the National Assembly only. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 75 of the Constitution outlines the conduct of state officers. It gives regulations on how we should behave as Members of the august House. We have been bestowed with the responsibility to behave honourably while executing our duties. These privileges that we have been given by the Constitution, and which we seek to align to those of the House also safeguards the interests of other citizens. The good professor has mentioned that Members cannot arbitrarily abuse other citizens who have no powers to defend themselves. In addition, the Standing Orders gives the Speaker of either House enormous powers to be keen or hawkeyed and reprimand any Member who could abuse these privileges. More often than not, MPs have complained of being harassed by police in the course of their duties. I hope enactment of this Bill will bring to rest the conflict between us and the law enforcement officers. Some traffic police officers do not realise that when an MP is travelling in the course of duty, he or she should be allowed passage to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam. Once the Bill is enacted, the police department will educate their law enforcers so that they can be courteous to us. They should allow us to execute our mandate as outlined in the Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the good professor mentioned about incidents which were witnessed once or twice in this House. It is incumbent upon us, as hon. Members, who are role models to the people who gave us privileges to act with decorum. For example, there are Members who tore other hon. Members trousers; others threw bottles of water around while others uttered unprintable words while in the Chamber. As we realign this Bill, I hope that the Members who will sit in the Senate Committee will not hesitate to penalize any Member who will behave contrary to parliamentary privileges. This is an honourable House. We must defend rules and laws that we make so that we become role models. As I said, since this is not a new Bill, it only realigns what existed; I do not have much to say, except to second. 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."
}