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{
    "id": 580013,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/580013/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 144,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kajuju",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 840,
        "legal_name": "Florence Kajuju",
        "slug": "florence-kajuju"
    },
    "content": "magistrates or judges. Therefore, I am happy to see that even within ourselves, we find it fit to have a code of conduct that regulate the behavior of the Members when they come before the House and when they conduct their businesses in the House and in the manner they relate to each other. Therefore, this is very important because it sets out the areas in which we should relate with one another. Therefore, the Members will not say that they did not know because there is a code of conduct that guides them in the manner they relate with each other and behave towards each other. We have very important constitutional duties we must perform, as the Legislature. We have been blessed by our various constituents to serve them. We cannot, therefore, exercise the mandate of oversight in law making if every time we stand up to speak we are worried about what is going to happen to us because of the utterances that we make here as we engage in debate, or we have a sword of Damocles hanging over us. That is why this Bill is very important to Members of Parliament. When we participate in debate or speaking on issues, we must have the freedom to exercise our minds in the various fields in our capacity as Members of Parliament. Even though this is a very good piece of work, there are some areas which need to be looked at so that we do not contravene the Constitution on the various freedoms and rights that are guaranteed especially in as far as Chapter Four is concerned. We have been engaging the Mover with a view to re-looking at Clause 34, on freedom of the media and freedom and right to access information. It is important that we know to what extent we are talking about defamatory matters relating to media publication of matters happening within the Committees or the Chamber of Parliament. We need to know the extent to which we can allow the media to access information because we also want Parliament to be an open institution. Whatever happens in Parliament should be easily accessible to members of the public and the media so that they can know what exactly goes on in this building. I remember that as we grew up, we never used to know what our Members of Parliament used to do. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, when live broadcast was accepted as a form of expression to enable Kenyans follow what their Members of Parliament do in the Chamber, it became a very important tool for educating not only members of the public but also school children. It is a way of telling them: “This is what we do. This is why you elected me. In Meru County, these are the sensitive issues you have allowed me to raise in Bunge” . Therefore, this is very important and we really have to look at it and be very clear on what we want. On Section 36, as raised by Hon. Mbadi, we need to know the extent of the powers we are giving to the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerk of the Senate, so that they can have the capacity or the locus standi to refer matters to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Will they be deciding on their own, once an issue has been raised, that it ought to be referred to the DPP or will such decision be arrived at through consultation with other bodies? I have also pointed out to Hon. Keynan that we need to look at Clause 37 because it talks about every member of staff of the Parliamentary Service Commission enjoying the powers and privileges of a police officer. I know we employ Sergeant-At-Arms, who have the capacity to do what a police officer is supposed to do. However, the reference to 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."
}