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{
    "id": 976578,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/976578/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 12,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“THAT the Senate do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter of urgent national importance namely”--- Standing Order No.34 (4) further states that the Motion shall be seconded and proposed, but no question shall be put at the end of the debate. Hon. Senators, Motions for Adjournment of the Senate pursuant to Standing Order No.34 have been used several times in the Senate. As an example, the Senate has at various times used the mechanism to discuss the taxation burden on Kenya, the security situation in Mt. Elgon Constituency, Bungoma County and the disaster in West Pokot County that had been occasioned by a landslide that claimed over 50 lives. Motions for Adjournment are not unique to the Kenyan Senate or the Parliament of Kenya. They are legislative instruments that are a common feature in most Commonwealth legislatures, including Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia and South Africa. Hon. Senators, the provisions of the Standing Orders and practices and procedures of comparative jurisdictions in the Commonwealth reveal the following as some of the common principles that govern the use of Motions for Adjournment on urgent matters of national importance: (1) An Adjournment Motion may be sought for the purpose of discussing a definite or specific matter of urgent national or public importance. (2) Notice of an Adjournment Motion proposed to be moved on a particular day is to be given to the Speaker at an appointed hour prior to the sitting of that day. (3) In determining whether an Adjournment Motion should be allowed, the Speaker shall have regard to various matters including- (a) not more than one such Motion shall be moved at the same sitting; (b) not more than one matter shall be discussed on the same Adjournment Motion; (c) the Motion should be restricted to a specific matter of recent occurrence. (d) the Motion should not raise a question of privilege; (e) the Motion should not revive discussion on a matter that has been discussed in the same sessions; (f) the Motion should not anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration; and, (g) the Motion should not raise any question which according to the Standing Orders, should be debated on distinct Motion for which notice has been given in writing. Where the Speaker gives consent for an Adjournment Motion to be sought, the Speaker shall call the Member to rise in his or her place and ask for leave to move the adjournment of the House, which shall require the support of a designated number of Members. If the request receives the requisite support, a time shall be appointed for moving of the Motion. At that appointed time, debate on the Motion shall proceed. When the debate is concluded, the Speaker is required to forthwith adjourn the House, and in effect, close debate on the Adjournment Motion. Different mechanisms can exist for this purpose. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}