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{
    "id": 717767,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/717767/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 78,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "End of Term of 11th Parliament-",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Secondly and most important, the publication of all nominated candidates will be done from 10th to 17th June, 2017, and the submission of party lists to IEBC will be from 10th to 24th June, 2017. Hon. Speaker, the third and most important consideration for this House is how to deal with over 15 Bills that ought to be passed by the end of the Session. It is suggested that the House adjourns sine die on or around 15th June, 2017 which will be about 54 days to the general elections. Should the House be required to consider any particular business, the Speaker can be requested to recall the House on any sitting day between June 16th and August 7th, one day to the general election for a special sitting. That is in case of an emergency such as the approval of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) if they are required for internal and external matters. So, the House can ideally sit until 7th August, 2017. I am sure the Speaker will agree with me that Members will be paid all their dues up to 7th August, 2017. This is whether you have lost in the party primaries or not. The reason for the proposed issues is that 15th June can be the last day of Parliament in case of a special sitting. Previous Parliaments adjourned two months before the general elections. Members used to conduct campaigns more freely and more so, interact with their constituencies. It allowed staff to carry out transitional activities in preparations for the next House. From 15th June, the staff of the House can do transitional matters for the 12th Parliament. Hon. Speaker, as I stated earlier on, electioneering period is with us and most Members would wish to be away for campaigns. I, therefore, wish to urge Members to continue with their activities in the House especially in the first part of the Session. As we approach the general elections, we have two important duties to do. One is to make sure that each one of us will have an opportunity to campaign and go to his constituency for his re-election bid. The other key function is your legislative duties as Members of the 11th Parliament. So, we expect our colleagues to do a balance between the time allocated for their legislative functions and time allocated for them to do their campaigns. I am sure if we do that, the people of Kenya will see that elections are there and they are a one day affair. But the State and institutions of Parliament, Judiciary and the Executive will function beyond that day. This is the problem with the Fifth Session of every Parliament. This Parliament is going to lose some time of its five years because of the transition period provided for. This is because we were supposed to go to elections in December, but we are now going to elections in August. I am sure my colleagues will take their time and make sure that the day the nation needs them in the Chamber, they will make that sacrifice. We must work for the people of Kenya. We must oversee, legislate and represent without losing out on anything. With those many remarks, yesterday, we started with a quorum hitch and this morning, we had serious issues. I am sure this is the time when the whips and leadership must account for the extra allowances we are paid to whip people. So, the whips and the leadership must be around. That is because if they are not here, then the rank and file membership will have very good excuses. So, I really urge the leadership from both sides to be around. I beg to move and ask Hon. Mwadeghu to second this Motion on the Approval of the Calendar of the House."
}