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"content": "Retreat held between 5th and 6th April, 2018, in Nakuru, it was felt that it was important to review the manner in which Statements are processed within the Senate. Therefore, this Committee quickly began this task and made various observations. I will quickly go through some of them. For example, that the Order on Statements had become popular with the Senators; that the current manner of processing Statements had presented challenges, and that on 15th May, 2018, the Speaker had to defer the Statements. Since then, Senators have been using other provisions on Statements. In particular, the provision of Standing Order 46 (2) that allows Senators to make a specific statement regarding a particular matter had not been exploited. Madam Temporary Speaker, when this Committee met over various committee meetings, specific amendments that this Committee aimed to do, was to try to widen the scope of the Statements. This was meant to ensure that we develop a practice of drafting requests of the statements to ensure that they are put in an orderly manner, they are short, precise, very articulate and touching on national matters clearly. For example, one statement would not seek various views or questions for various uses. It was also meant to ensure that there is enough time for processing and approving of a statement, it is adequately listed within the Order Paper and there is order in the way statements would be handled. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Committee met almost four times and went on to look at the various amendments. But most of these amendments are around the statements to ensure that they become more orderly. Most of the statements are done under Standing Order 46. In some cases, that Standing Order has been expounded. Apart from Standing Order 46 as it stands, there is Standing Order 46 (a), (b), (c) and (d) with various provisions. I will just highlight a few of these. There is the usual the Statement Hour, which is now Standing Order 46, where a Member during the Statements Hour, can request for a Statement. But the Statements Hour will be contained between 3.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. During this time, a Senator can make a particular statement that has been cleared. A Senator making a statement under this part shall not speak for more than 10 minutes. Standing Order 46 (a) states that Senators can make general Statements and that these Statements must be a countrywide, inter-county, national or regional matter. This came because some of the answers to the statements sought could be easily analysed or researched across. For example, some sort of research venture would enable the Senator to answer the specific questions. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Senators’ General Statements Hour will now be more precise with the nature of the Statement being vetted, so that it is a countrywide statement, one that has international concern and is also regional. Standing Orders 46 (a) (2) and (3) also give the provision for when that statement should be given. For example, the Speaker would also give the permission for that statement, but the statement should be handed to the Clerk. That notification must be signed by the Senator and done within reasonable period. Madam Temporary Speaker, Standing Order 46 (b) addresses itself to the Senators’ requests for Statements. Again, a Senator may request for a statement from a Committee relating to any matter. This is where a Statement from a Senator can be 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."
}