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{
    "id": 816843,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/816843/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 51,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "issues of technical nature. However, this is not a blanket excuse to Cabinet Secretary’s’ appearance before Committees when required to appear. As I conclude, the House is reminded that the Constitution places strict obligations on the conduct of Members in the discharge of their role as leaders. Parliament is under constant scrutiny. Committee meetings are open to the public and proceedings are now streamed live online and on television sets. The actions, comments, body language, gestures and even grooming of Members is under constant evaluation by the people of Kenya. The partial or indecorous conduct of an individual Member or a Committee of the House is deemed, by extension, as the conduct of the House. Let us strive to do better and uphold the dignity of the House. In summary, I direct the following: One, it rests upon each Committee to decide and resolve on the urgency of the inquiry they propose to undertake if an investigative agency is conducting a parallel investigation. Where prosecution has preferred charges on individuals of interest to a Committee on matters similar or substantially similar to those before it, the inquiry before the Committee should be suspended, but not stopped. Any further inquiry may only proceed with the leave of the Speaker. Two, prior to the commencement of every meeting, every Chairperson must require that Members declare their interest in any matter under consideration. Three, Members should relate with persons appearing as witnesses before Committees at “arms-length”. In this regard, while appearing before a Committee, witnesses should be ushered in and escorted out by the secretariat or the Serjeant-at-Arms. Members should also endeavour to avoid making any contacts with witnesses prior to or during hearings. Four, as a rule, the House shall cater for all expenses relating to a matter under inquiry by a committee. Any proposal by any organisation to co-fund a committee activity should be treated with caution. If such co-funding or funding shall be considered necessary, requests should be directed to the Office of the Clerk for review and approval on a case-by-case basis. Five, the Clerk of the National Assembly immediately put in place administrative measures to reserve marked sitting places for each committee member at any meeting of a committee. Six, it shall be upon the Chairperson of a Committee to determine the number of non- Committee members, the so called “friends”, to allow to participate in a Committee sitting at any given time, taking into account the available sitting space and convenience of the Committee. Seven, a Chairperson of a Committee shall give priority to Committee members in the asking of questions in a Committee sitting. In this regard, a non-Committee member may only speak with the permission of the Chairperson. That is after the Chairperson has determined that the members of the Committee may not be desirous of asking further questions. Eight, a Chairperson shall report to the Speaker any incident where a non-Committee member grossly misconducts him or herself during a Committee sitting for disciplinary action in the House. Nine, forthwith, contravention of Standing Order No. 86 that prohibits premature reference to proceedings before Committees constitutes an act of gross disorderly conduct pursuant to Standing Order No. 107A(1)(i); attracting suspension or discharge from a Committee. This includes taking of photographs and posting them on various social media sites through WhatsApp and such like platforms. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}