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{
    "id": 884146,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/884146/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 48,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(1) What constitutes a proper dress code for Members of the National Assembly while in the Chamber? (2) Can there be exceptions to the rule and, if so, under what circumstances? (3) What is a decent attire/wear in respect of Honourable Lady Members? (4) Whether our diverse cultural regalia should be permitted to form part of the dress code for the Chamber and in committees of the House; (5) Whether the prescription of a dress code is an affront on the freedom of conscience, religion and belief of Members of this august House; (6) Whether, in fact, it is time to depart from the traditionally prescribed dress code that the House has been accustomed to for decades and which has been used for preserving the dignity and sartorial standards of this House. The debate as to what constitutes appropriate dress code is not new to this House. History is replete with instances where the Chair has been invited to determine whether or not a Member is properly dressed. Indeed, it is a matter that is not unique to the Parliament of Kenya or, perhaps, the National Assembly. It has and shall continue to dominate discourse across parliaments the world over. This is because a House of Parliament without basic agreed standards of dress and manners can subject itself to dishonour. In addressing the issues raised by Hon. Olago Aluoch and fellow Members as to what constitutes an appropriate dress code, I am, at the outset, bound to address three issues; namely, (1) What is the rule governing the manner of dress while attending plenary and committee sittings in the National Assembly? (2) What has the practice and application of the said rule been and how does it sit with practices and precedents in comparable jurisdictions? (3) Should we or should we not in fact have an absolutely determinate rule governing dress code? As you may all be aware, Article 117(2) of the Constitution gives Parliament the authority, for the purpose of the orderly and effective discharge of its business, to provide for its powers, privileges and immunities. In furtherance of the said constitutional principle, Section 37 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017 provides that – “ (1) The Speaker of either House of Parliament may, from time to time, issue such orders as may be necessary or expedient for the better carrying out of the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the orders may provide for— (a) the admittance of members of the public to the precincts of Parliament; (b) the deduction of any monies due to a member in respect of refreshments or other facilities made available to members within the precincts of Parliament; (c) the appropriate dress code for members.” Accordingly, my predecessors did prescribe the ‘appropriate dress code’ for Members of the National Assembly in previous Speaker’s Rules. I also did affirm the same in the current Speaker’s Rules, 2017 (Revised). Rule No. 8 of the Speaker’s Rules (Dress Code for Members, Media Representatives and Guests) states that –"
}