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"id": 591316,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Ethuro",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
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"legal_name": "Ekwee David Ethuro",
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"content": " Hon. Members, I have a Communication to make on the mode of dressing in the House. You may recall that yesterday, Tuesday, 13th October, 2015, the Senator for Migori County, Sen. (Dr.) Machage, rose on a point of order and sought the guidance of the Chair on whether the Senator for Tana River County, Sen. Bule, was properly dressed within the meaning of our rules and practices. For the benefit of Senators who were not in the House at that time, Sen. Bule was dressed in a black checked kanzu with a matching jacket and a cap. I allowed several Senators to comment on the matter and consequently undertook to give a ruling on the matter to the extent that I was asked to expedite it just in case another Member comes in traditional regalia, with a sword. After listening to the debate that ensued on the matter, I isolated the following issues as requiring my consideration- (1) whether or not, it is proper for a Senator to enter this Chamber while dressed in a kanzu, (2) what acceptable dress code for the Chamber is; and, (3) whether Sen. Ali Bule was properly dressed during that particular sitting. Hon. Senators, before I deliver my ruling on this matter, let me apprise the Senate on the current requirements and practices obtaining in our Parliament and even in other Parliaments. In our case, the manner of dressing is provided for in Chapter One, Rule Five of the Speaker’s Rules which provides, I quote:- “Members are required not to enter the Chamber, lounge or dinning room without being properly dressed.” “Proper dressing” is defined as “a coat, tie, long trousers, socks and shoes or service uniform or decent national dress for men; and equivalent standard for women with hats being optional.” Hon. Senators, the question of proper dress or otherwise in the House as defined in the rule that I have just quoted, has been a recurring matter in our Parliament over the last 50 years or so. As Senators may expect, several communications have been made on the matter. For instance, on 16th April, 1968, the Chair while responding to an objection on the dressing of a Member ruled as follow:- “Hon. Members, as I have said on other occasions, we have no Standing Orders concerning dress which I can enforce. It rests on the collective opinion of the House as to what is or is not proper dressing. If Mr. Mbogoh does not meet with the approval of hon. Members, he will doubtless hear about it.’ Similarly, on 24th March, 1993, the Chair then ruled as follows on the same subject, and I wish to quote:- “Hon. Members, this morning an issue arose as to whether Hon. Shikuku, MP for Butere, was properly dressed as per the Speaker’s Rules regulating the conduct of Members of the National Assembly. The hon. Member was dressed in long trousers, shirt, bow tie and a sleeves outer 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."
}