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{
    "id": 965460,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/965460/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 381,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): I will start with the direction. After that, I will give one or two comments before we proceed. The direction is as follows: That the Mover concludes the Moving of this Bill and then we proceed with the Bill, as far as we can, but no Division takes place on the Second Reading of this Bill, and no further processing of the Bill until the issues raised by Sen. Sakaja are disposed of in one way or the other. That is the direction. In answering the request by Sen. Sakaja for a ruling, I agree that the matters raised are weighty, because there is a gap in the Standing Orders. Therefore, Standing Order No.157, as Sen. Sakaja pointed out, applies. It talks about consideration of Bills from the National Assembly but does not state what happens when they go there and for how long we can wait. I am sure that this is the mischief that the Bill by Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. and Sen. Sakaja wanted to cure but, sadly, it is stuck in the National Assembly. It is now suffering from the same disease. Colleagues, the situation we are in is untenable. I will not be happy to continue sitting here and supervising futility. Therefore, something has to give way. The only thing that can cause whatever must give way to do so is the law and nothing else. Not cajoling, not diplomacy, not sweet talk, not courtesy calls or threats but the law. Having said that, I also want to draw to the attention of the SBC the massive role they enjoy in trying to unlock some of the issues that are stuck. That is not to say that we abandon this issue to be squarely in the hands of the SBC. I urge the House for a little patience on this matter. This is because there are many issues which are weighty and require a lot of reflection. I am of the opinion that the ruling on this matter must be given from this Chair, so that it goes on record and sets the record straight. Beyond that ruling, the Senate can seek enforcement, because I do not think that the Chair’s ruling is just a speech from a parastatal board or some agency. The Ruling of the Chair has the force of law and can be enforced. Therefore, I urge Sen. Sakaja and the House to indulge the Chair, considering that we are proceeding on recess on Thursday this week, as per our Calendar. I request for time and I will give a considered, well-reasoned and legally sound ruling on the first day of the next session. Meanwhile we consider the Bills as they come but on this one, we proceed as advised. We still have a bit of time. I hope you added the Majority Leader’s time before he was justifiably interrupted by the Senator for Nairobi. How many minutes, Sen. Murkomen?"
}