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{
    "id": 591350,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/591350/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 73,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The point here is that we must narrow the definition of what a money Bill can be. This is because it must not exclude – as long as you bring a Bill that relates to other issues other than taxes – imposition of charges, misappropriation or guarantee of loans, then that Bill ceases to be a money Bill. The second and most important is that because we have already amended Article 109 to ensure that all Bills come to the Senate, the point here is that you just need the definition of what a money Bill is for the simple objective to know which House will originate that Bill. The practice all over the world is that money Bills originate from the National Assembly or “Lower Chamber”. For that reason, we have maintained the practice that money Bills will originate from the National Assembly. The definition of what amounts to a money Bill is there. Ultimately, if these amendments will be approved by this House and Kenyans, all money Bills will come to the Senate, including Appropriation Bills. Madam Temporary Speaker, the second thing is the oversight role of Parliament. The responsibility of Parliament in oversighting national and county governments is not so clear, especially when it comes to the national level. We, as a Committee, agreed – bearing in mind comparative experiences in other jurisdictions – that when it comes to approval of State officers, we have defined and determined criteria which will be approved by the National Assembly and which ones by the Senate. The approval of all State officers who will serve the presidency and at the pleasure of the President will remain with the National Assembly. They include Cabinet Secretaries (CS), Attorney-General (AG), Secretary to the Cabinet, Principal Secretaries (PSs), High Commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives. Those are men and women who will serve at the pleasure of the President and come in every time a new Government is in place. The President can also change them midway. For those who enjoy security of tenure, the Senate of the Republic of Kenya will approve their appointments. That includes the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), chair and members of constitutional commissioners, Chief Justice (CJ), Deputy Chief Justice, Auditor-General (AG), Inspector-General of Police and Controller of Budget. These are men and women whose nomination and appointments will be approved by the Senate. Madam Temporary Speaker, the second issue in so far as oversight is concerned is the oversight of Parliament in matters of security. As I speak, Article 58 of the Constitution denies the Senate a responsibility in the declaration of emergency. Whether it is approval or extension of a state of emergency, the Senate does not play a role. We have proposed an amendment to ensure that approval and extension of a state of emergency will not be approved by the National Assembly alone, but by both Houses. This is critical, not only for the stability of the nation, but also stability and functioning of counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have also proposed an amendment to Article 241(3) so that the Senate can play a role in the deployment of forces. Again, currently under Article 241(3), it is only the National Assembly that plays a role in deployment of our armed forces whether within or outside the country. We have proposed an amendment to that article because that responsibility relates to the stability of the country, 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."
}