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{
    "id": 788276,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/788276/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 78,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "2. The manner of calling of kamukunjis was also limiting as it was and still remains the discretion of the Speaker in consultation with the leadership of the House as opposed to a request from individual Members. 3. There was need to formally engage PSC as the National Assembly on certain matters of Members’ welfare as opposed to engaging the Commission through an informal gathering of individual Members. Owing to the fact that kamukunjis are informal and not founded in the House’s Standing Orders or in any other recognisable codified document, when I received this request, I had two choices. One option was to assume that the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities does not exist and, therefore, call for the informal Speaker’s kamukunji to address the Members’ concerns. The second option was to recognize that, indeed, we have a Committee established specifically for the purpose of addressing Members’ concerns and, therefore, allow this Committee to discharge its mandate as provided for under Standing Order No.212B. As your Speaker, I chose the second option. This choice is guided by the provision of Standing Order No.86 which provides that: “No Member shall refer to the substance of the proceedings of a Select Committee before the Committee has made its report to the House.” As you may be aware, the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities under the leadership of Hon. Ezekiel Machogu recently deliberated on several issues including the Members’ medical scheme, catering services and the general welfare of Members. Indeed, the Committee also undertook benchmarking visits to both the House of Commons and House of Lords in England, as well as to the Assembly of the Republic of Northern Ireland, in Belfast to have a comparative feel of matters of Members’ welfare, services and facilities in those jurisdictions. The Chairperson has indicated to me that the Committee will table it reports in the House next week. In this regard, it is inevitable that a discussion of those issues will most likely prejudice the Committee’s work and offends the provisions of Standing Order No.86. I call upon the Member who initiated the letter to formally reveal the concern the Members wanted to raise in the Speaker’s kamukunji, so that I may forward the same concerns to the Committee. I will, thereafter, allow the Chairperson of the Committee to table the report in the House after which the House may choose to debate the reports either openly or in camera . The resolutions made by the House in regard to the said reports would then become actionable points to be actualised by the PSC. Thereafter, should there be need to address any matters of personal nature that may not be addressed by the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities in their report to the House, as your Speaker, I will facilitate the request for a Speaker’s Kamukunji in consultation with the leadership of the House. Please, be guided accordingly. Hon. Members, I encourage more Members to participate in the deliberations of the Committee on Members Facilities and Services so that any issues they may have may be captured properly and be acted upon in a manner aforesaid."
}