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{
    "id": 990999,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/990999/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 202,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Garissa Township, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Aden Duale",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "(b) to commend and appreciate all healthcare workers and service providers in the country for their selfless efforts, commitment to service, care and compassion towards persons who have been infected and/or affected by the virus. (c) to urgently put in place modalities of facilitating the continuity of the business of the House remotely using modern technology whilst upholding the constitutional requirements on public access and participation, quorum, and voting in Parliament; and, (d) that, to supplement the COVID-19 Fund and other measures put in place, the Budget and Appropriations Committee reviews the proposed Annual Estimates for the FY 2020/2021 with a view to allocating funds towards cushioning the country further from the short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19, particularly allocating and ring-fencing funds for: (i) the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing and medical equipment, including adequate ventilators; and, (ii) the establishment of a suitable national health facility for the treatment and management of infectious and viral diseases such the COVID-19, with a bed capacity of at least 1,000 persons. Hon. Deputy Speaker, some Members in various forums are saying that these Motions are being delayed. It is the prerogative of the House Business Committee (HBC) to ensure that important agenda come first. Today, I am happy to say that this House has passed the relevant legislative laws such as the tax laws that will not only cushion the economy from negative effects, but also help Kenyans who are staying at home and have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, this House has also passed the Budget Supplementary Appropriations Bill which was assented to by the President that now allocates serious resources to the key sectors that are in the war against COVID-19. So, the National Assembly has done its duty. I can say it without fear of contradiction. We have also passed more than five regulations, one on COVID- 19, the various ones on the Public Health Act, the ones on the curfew and many others such as the one on the VAT. They all have been approved by this House. So, the National Assembly in its last four sittings rose to the occasion and complied with Articles 94 and 95 of the Constitution in discharging its mandate of legislation, representation and oversight. I thank the Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, Chair of the Health Committee, all Committee Members, House in general and its leadership, for rising to the occasion. The COVID-19 will not cause us to violate the Constitution and the Standing Orders on how the House is run. The Constitution provides how to vote and to prosecute a Bill from the First to the Third Reading. You cannot circumvent. I saw Hon. Kimunya arguing and I told him that we have no problem with his Bill. He is the Chair of the Mediation Committee. We have a problem with the voting procedure in the Senate. A whole Article of the Constitution was not followed and then the wrong process was followed. Hon. Speaker said he is going to make a Communication. I have asked Hon. Speaker to write to the Speaker of the Senate and ask him to confirm because I have the Hansard and there is need to confirm whether that violation of the Constitution took place. Secondly, we have cushioned companies, ordinary Kenyans and given resources to the Ministry of Health. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}