Chrysanthus Barnabas Okemo

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 281 to 290 of 559.

• 23 Apr 2009 in National Assembly: We have allowed ourselves to be sucked into a problem that is purely a problem of the Executive arm of Government. The truth of the matter is that the Government that exists today is not a Government in the ordinary sense of the word but it is a special Grand Coalition. We must live to that reality! We must recognize the fact that this is not just an ordinary Government voted in, in the normal way. I think it would be very short- sighted of us to forget what happened in December 2007. We should never forget what happened in ... view
• 23 Apr 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, my understanding of the Standing Orders of this House and the Constitution is that the Leader of “Government” Business is nominated by the Government. The Chair of the HBC is nominated by the Government. We have tried very unsuccessfully today to define what Government is because we are assuming that it is what exists in normal circumstances. We have a Grand Coalition Government; a new experience in Kenya, something we have never had before. So, we cannot continue as if we have a normal Government that was elected by a majority and has the mandate to rule. ... view
• 23 Apr 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, we cannot sit here and pretend that the Government is composed of the President as Head of Government and Head of State with the Prime Minister as being appointed by the President. The reality of the matter is that we have two equal partners. One is Party of National Unity (PNU) and the other is Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The other parties are appendages. However, that being the case, even common courtesy demands that if you have two partners, there must be some element of consultation. I do not know what is so difficult for President Kibaki ... view
• 24 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like the Assistant Minister to clarify whether the law as passed by Parliament should be observed or whether excuses be given because of practical difficulties. The law, as it stands today, Section 29 is very clear. He talked about agreements in the sugar industry and the guidelines which guide them. It is explicitly stated that the cane will be harvested by the miller, weighed at the farm gate and transported. That is the law! Whether there are difficulties about it or not is not the issue. Should the Ministry leave the millers to continue to ... view
• 24 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: No. It is one, Mr. Speaker, Sir. view
• 24 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was just one long one. With regard to the question of payment of farmers, again, in the same law and in the guidelines, it is stated very clearly that the miller will pay the sugar cane farmer within 30 days of accepting delivery, failure to which they will pay interest at the market rate plus a penalty of 3 per cent per month. There are so many issues arising from this. Mr. Olago has just raised an issue in this House where there are a lot of outstanding payments. How is the farmer going to be ... view
• 19 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have no problem with the list or with the people who are in it. I have a problem with the selection process. From the knowledge available to us, the Parliamentary Select Committee contracted Manpower Services Limited. As one hon. Member said, this is a very reputable organization. Having contracted them to do this work for them, they came up with a short list of names which they presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee. So, if the list done by a specialist consultancy organization was given to the Select Committee and, in total disregard, they went ... view
• 19 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: That is my only issue. Fe bruary 19, 2009 PARLIAMENTAR Y DEBATES view
• 17 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I was expecting a Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Agriculture today. If you remember, the Minister promised before this House that the Statement would be ready today - Tuesday. But I received a casual call from one of his Assistant Ministers saying that they were not ready, but for the record, I really would like to protest very strongly because the Ministerial Statement has far-reaching implications for the sugar-cane farmer. I did not ask for the Ministerial Statement casually for information. There were a number of actionable things that I required from the Minister. view
• 17 Feb 2009 in National Assembly: So, could Mr. Speaker, Sir, please, save me by insisting and getting an assurance or an irrefutable promise that the Statement will be made before Parliament goes on recess? That is because this is really a matter of very grave importance? view