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{
    "id": 993209,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/993209/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 13,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Prof.) Kithure Kindiki, MP, from the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Senate as indicated in today’s Order Paper. Pursuant to the said Standing Order, the business listed in the Order Paper shall be the only business before the Senate. After which, the Senate shall adjourn to Tuesday, 26th May 2020 at 10.00 a.m., as per the Calendar. Hon. Senators, having set the context of today’s Special Sitting, I wish to inform the House that a Motion on the removal of a Speaker or Deputy Speaker is a constitutional matter that is both rare and extremely unique, especially when it finds its way into the Floor of the House as parliamentary business. Speakership in the Senate and in similar jurisdictions in the Commonwealth embodies the power, dignity and honour of the House. The main features attached to the Office of the Speaker are authority and impartiality. Members aggrieved by the conduct of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker can only discuss his or her conduct by way of a specific substantive Motion or a Motion on the removal from office such as the one which is before the Senate today. As you all know, the essential ingredient of the Speakership is founded on the status of the Speaker as the servant of the House. It is on this basis that Motions of removal or censure of the Speaker are very rare. Indeed, the Motion such as the one before us today is the first of its kind in the history of the Senate of Kenya. Hon. Senators, Article 106 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya states as follows- The office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall become vacant - (a)When a new House of Parliament first meets after an election; (b)If the office holder, as a member of the relevant House vacates office under Article 103; (c)If the relevant House so resolves by resolution supported by at least two-thirds of its members; or (d)If the office holder resigns from office in a letter addressed to the relevant House. Hon. Senators, the Motion before the House this afternoon is a Special Motion and shall be prosecuted in the manner prescribed in Standing Order No.69, read together with the provisions of Part 12 (Motions) and Part 17 (Rules of Debate) of the Standing Orders. Standing Order 69 (2) provides that: “Unless the Constitution, any written law or these Standing Orders specify a lesser or further period, a Special Motion shall be- (a) disposed of by the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No. 55 ( Notices of Motions ) within seven days of receipt by the Speaker of notice by a Senator; and (b) disposed of by the Senate within fourteen calendar days upon notice being given under Standing Order No.55 ( Notices of Motions ) and if not, such Motion shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and shall not be moved again in the same Session, except with the consent of the Speaker.” Hon. Senators, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, and; in line with the health and social distancing protocols as contained in the Guidelines that I issued on 31st March and 17th April 2020, and; following a resolution by the Senate 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."
}