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{
    "id": 848867,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/848867/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 369,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Very well. Thank you, Senators. Sen. Wambua, the Report was tabled yesterday. What is before us this afternoon is whether the Chairperson of the Committee can move the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee and, of course, that will be followed by debate so that the adoption can take place. Firstly, I have deliberately allowed all those interventions so that we can make an informed decision. This is not the first time that the issue of sub judice has been raised before this House. I, therefore, find nothing unusual for Sen. Moi or any other Senator raising it. I do not think it is trivial and that is why our Standing Orders provide the rule of sub judice . Therefore, that should be the starting point as we look at this matter. Secondly, I have also listened to the discussions, contributions and interventions by hon. Senators, trying to argue their understanding on this rule, its limitations and application. Thirdly, a Speaker of this House has previously had to make a detailed ruling on this matter. Similarly, the Speaker of the National Assembly, throughout various Parliaments, has ruled on this matter. Therefore, this being avery weighty decision because it touches on the independence of Parliament and how it should exercise that independence in relation to the other arms of government; in the circumstances, I direct as follows. One, that this Motion be deferred to tomorrow at 2.30p.m. Two, that this Motion be given high priority tomorrow at 2.30 p.m. In which case, Order No.7 – which is normally Statements and which normally takes a bit of time – will be transacted after this Motion has been debated. This means that within the first five minutes of tomorrow’s Sitting, this Motion should be transacted, depending on the ruling of that Speaker, which should precede any further debate on this Motion. Therefore, in short, Senators, the Speaker will make a detailed ruling on the matter raised by Sen. Sen. Moi tomorrow at 2.30p.m. Depending on that ruling, a debate may ensue depending on the finding, because I need a bit of time to reflect and balance all the authorities and look at history. We are also guided by precedents and previous decisions of Parliament. We can also break new ground. However, we have to support that new ground with authority, so that our decision can stand the test of time."
}