{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=152933","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=152931","results":[{"id":1547512,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547512/?format=json","text_counter":46,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Cheruiyot","speaker_title":"The Senate Majority Leader","speaker":{"id":13165,"legal_name":"Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot","slug":"aaron-cheruiyot"},"content":" Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am speaking on a related matter, not specific to a statement, but something that concerns me. As the Senate Majority Leader, I follow the work of committees, and see the kind of work that our committees have to put up with. I am increasingly getting concerned on the level of workload that we are giving to our committees with regards to statements. If you speak to chairpersons and members of the various committees, committees predominantly handle Bills that are before them, Petitions and Statements. I beg for your indulgence on this matter, so that perhaps, as a House, we can think through it and take a decision. We run the risk of being the Senate that considered statements only. Our committees are due to report to us before we break for recess. If you follow through the reports, you will realize that the biggest workload for most of our committees is actually to respond to Statements. With no specific reference to any particular Senator or issue, I know this is not a very nice conversation to have, but this is my honest opinion. My colleagues could perhaps hold a slightly different view to it, but this is what I feel. I say this as somebody who has served in this House long enough to know the difference between what is a Statement that befits consideration by a committee of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya, and others that are pursuing matters that do not meet that particular threshold. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not know what procedure you can put in place, so that at least we can save our committees the time of having to consider certain matters, which perhaps, can either be dealt with by that Member, either by writing directly to the agency or being left to be dealt with at the County Assembly level, especially if there is absolutely no relation to the stature of the Senate as an institution, and it is a matter that purely, perhaps will concern only that particular Senator and their county. If we do not make a decision on this matter, you will soon realize that at the very least, each of our 14 committees have no less than 200 Statements to consider. Tell me how practical it is possible for all our committees to consider those Statements, respond, and give quality feedback to Senators who are raising these statements. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we must have a conversation about what is the threshold which a Statement meets for it to be considered, that we can send it to the committee of the House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is my concern, which I beg your indulgence on. Perhaps, you can guide us on how we can make a decision on that particular matter. I do not know if the chairpersons are concerned, but I am particularly concerned about that issue."},{"id":1547513,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547513/?format=json","text_counter":47,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Sen. Wambua, please proceed. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1547514,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547514/?format=json","text_counter":48,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wambua","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13199,"legal_name":"Enoch Kiio Wambua","slug":"enoch-kiio-wambua"},"content":"I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. If you allow me, I would also like to associate myself with the remarks made by the Senate Majority Leader, as far as the business of this House is concerned. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it will be remembered that I have gone on record questioning the amount of work that our committees are being called upon to process, and the impression being created that our committees are not performing well. I would like to advise, with your permission, as a ranking Member in this House, that there are issues that are coming on the Floor of this House that, to a certain extent, diminish the dignity of the House. I have seen Statements that seek responses literally on paths in our counties. I know the Senate can inquire into any matter in any county, but there is no county in this country that does not have a county assembly. Apart from Nyamira County that has two county assemblies, the other counties have county assemblies that are functioning. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would request that you give direction on the matter of the threshold for Statements to be brought before the House, and the process of clearing those Statements, so that we do not end up with so much workload in committees that actually clog the work of committees and prevent them from undertaking other equally or more important matters like processing Bills and Motions."},{"id":1547515,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547515/?format=json","text_counter":49,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wambua","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13199,"legal_name":"Enoch Kiio Wambua","slug":"enoch-kiio-wambua"},"content":"Mr. Speaker, Sir, I seek your indulgence."},{"id":1547516,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547516/?format=json","text_counter":50,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wambua","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13199,"legal_name":"Enoch Kiio Wambua","slug":"enoch-kiio-wambua"},"content":"I thank you."},{"id":1547517,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547517/?format=json","text_counter":51,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Hon. Senators, to address the concerns raised by the Senate Majority Leader, amplified and echoed by Sen. Enoch Wambua, there are three players to this. If we are to get it right, these three players must get it right at their levels. Player number one is the Senator himself. Player number two is the Secretariat. Then, ultimately, all these statements land at the Speaker's desk."},{"id":1547518,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547518/?format=json","text_counter":52,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Senators, if you look at Standing Order No.55(3), it is very clear because it gives you the requirements of a statement. If you know your statement does not meet the requirements as per Standing Order No.55(3), then you need not place it before the Secretariat. I have had to decline approving several statements because they do not meet the particular criteria set out in Standing Order No.55(3)"},{"id":1547519,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547519/?format=json","text_counter":53,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"When I engage the Secretariat, and I am going to be very candid on this, on why they have processed Statements that clearly do not meet the criteria as set out in Standing Order No.55(3), the response has been that if we do not process a statement, then we will be in trouble with the Senator. Hon. Senators, statements will be processed because they meet the criteria. The Secretariat will not process statements out of fear. Therefore, if you play your part, the concerns raised by the Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Enoch will be addressed."},{"id":1547520,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547520/?format=json","text_counter":54,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"Secondly is the Secretariat. You will do your work without fear or favour. Any Statement that does not meet the criteria set out in Standing Order No.55(3) must not be processed. It does not matter who brought it up, whether a ranking Member or a new Member. If the Statement does not meet the criteria of Standing Order No.55(3), it shall not be processed. If you push the Secretariat to do so, we will end up with a scenario that has raised the concern as alluded to by the two hon. Senators. On my part, I am going to be very The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1547521,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547521/?format=json","text_counter":55,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"vigilant on this particular aspect. I have declined to approve several statements in this regard, and I will continue tightening and applying the criteria as set out in Standing Order No.55(3). Only then will we be able to address the concerns as raised by the Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Enoch. Hon. Senators, we need not go to those lengths. As you are drafting your statements, have Standing Order No.55(3) before you. You can even tick the box, because it says a statement must be able to follow the following criteria. Criteria number one, and for avoidance of doubt and clarity, allow me to give you the full criteria as demanded by Standing Order No.55(3). It says- “A request for a Statement shall not- (a) be made the pretext for debate;”"}]}