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{
    "id": 997190,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/997190/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "a) The Jubilee Coalition with a combined total of 186 Members in the House is entitled to a total of 330 slots spread out in committees to be shared among the Members of the three Parties that form the Jubilee Coalition: Jubilee Party (JP), Kenya African National Union (KANU) and Party of Development and Reforms (PDR); b) The National Super Alliance (NASA) Coalition which comprises the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Amani National Congress (ANC), Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya (FORD-Kenya), Chama Cha Mashinani Party (CCM) and Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) is entitled to a total of 226 slots in committees to be shared out amongst the 126 Members who make up that Coalition; c) The Economic Freedom Party (EFP) is entitled to a total of eight slots in the committees to share out among its 5 members; d) Maendeleo Chap Chap Party (MCCP) is entitled to seven slots in committees to share amongst its four Members; e) The People's Democratic Party (PDP), Kenya Patriots Party (KPP) and Kenya National Congress (KNC) which have two Members each are entitled to four slots each in committees; f) The Frontier Alliance Party (FAP), Party of National Unity (PNU), the Democratic Party (DP), the National Agenda Party of Kenya (NAPK), Muungano Party, New Democrats and the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) which have one Member each in the House are entitled to two slots per party in our committees; g) The 14 independent Members are cumulatively entitled to share out 25 slots amongst themselves in committees. From the numbers that are enumerated, it can be seen that there are 36 Members who are either Independent Members or from small parties that do not meet the threshold of parliamentary parties pursuant to the Standing Orders and are not in any coalition. These Members are thus cumulatively entitled to approximately a total of 66 slots out of the 622 slots available in Committees. Hon. Members, with regard to discharge of Members from select committees, it is clear that Standing Order 176(1) does not contain mechanisms for discharging Members belonging to political parties other than a parliamentary party and the Independents. For avoidance of doubt, Standing Order No.176(1) provides: “(1) A parliamentary party may discharge a Member from a Select Committee after according the Member an opportunity to be heard.” As Members may be aware, this provision was added to the Standing Orders at the tail-end of the last Parliament. By not providing for de-whipping of Members from political parties other than a parliamentary party and the Independents, the Standing Order leaves room for unwarranted speculations that parliamentary parties may stretch their tentacles to also discharge such Members even as such Members are also subject to the disciplinary sanctions of their respective primary parties, however small. Needless to say, the smaller parties which are not considered parliamentary parties have no effective avenue for discharging members. Nevertheless, the Committee on Selection ought to be at liberty to propose to the House, reallocation of committee memberships to ensure a balance as envisaged under Standing Order No.174(2). Hon. Members, allow me to contrast the foregoing comparative cases from the sister Parliament of Uganda, which has a total of 83 Independent Members of Parliament. From a reading of Standing Order No.157 of the National Assembly of the Republic of Uganda, entitlement of 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."
}