Dr. James Nyikal

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 1231 to 1240 of 3161.

• 28 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: On capping, I think the lower cap can be discussed, but the upper cap is a no-go zone. I do not believe in the reason that has been given that the Government is competing with peasants to borrow money. I think banks are becoming a cartel. By proposing that we use the Kenya Bankers Reference Rate, you cannot use people who charge high interest rates! That will not work. We should not accept that one. On the Robin Hood Tax, normally, we have seen, particularly in the health sector, the issue of the sin tax. The difference between the two ... view
• 28 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: at this Bill properly, that waiver should be re-introduced and the Minister should go on with the waiver of VAT on petroleum products. Otherwise, it will be terrible if we put 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products. The prices of everything will go up. Finally, on kerosene, I think it is desirable that we control adulteration. Increasing the cost of kerosene is actually a practical way, but we should try to develop the use of renewable energy. That is where we should go. Solar will give a lot of lighting. In any case, kerosene for lighting and use in ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Motion. Question Time is important. It is a very important link between Parliament and the Executive. It indicates the deficiency that we all feel in the presidential system. It is a small element, but there are big elements that we will look at when we amend the Constitution. view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: Absence of Question Time denies Members the opportunity to address issues of development and other issues in their constituencies. When I was the Permanent Secretary, I had the opportunity to participate in the preparation of answers. It is an extremely important function. It gives great impetus for the Executive to work properly and ensure that projects are implemented right from the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and the heads of directorates and departments. Once a question is presented and time is allocated, in a proper working ministry, the CS sits down and brings it to the attention of the PS. When ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: When I was a PS in the 10th Parliament, we were glued on the television to watch how the minister was answering the questions. When there was good working relationship between the minister and the assistant minister, we called the assistant minister to give him supplementary answers. When we were seated in the office, we could see the answers which the minister needed. It involved a lot of research because you anticipated what other questions the Members would raise regarding the project or the issue that was being discussed. The minister had a rough time. The whole ministry was involved. ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: I have looked at the amendments. I like amendment 42B which puts restrictions on the kind of questions which can be answered. They are not issues from the newspapers, speculations and questions that need general answers but specific ones. I like that amendment very much because it limits it to what is necessary and important to the people. Amendment 42C talks about disposing of the question. It takes us back to where we were at the beginning of the last Parliament. We were keen to get the CSs in the House in one way or another. Preparations were made as ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: I agree with the issue of the friends of the committee. As much as we are limiting it, it is a useful idea that was abused. Some people may have information at times that the committee requires or bring an element or angle that may be important. I know that it has been used relatively for parochial or selfish issues. Therefore, we need to re-organise it. I like the structures which we are putting in place. We are amending Standing Order No.195. We are saying that we remove participation in one part but as we go further, we are accepting ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: With those few remarks, I support these amendments. view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: That amendment to Standing Order No. 195 is not just one. It has several components. With regard to (a), it is just re-paragraphing. If you look at (b), it is deleting the words “and participate in”. Our Standing Orders say a Member may attend and participate in a meeting. Now, it is removing “and participate” so that it will now read “attend”. If you go further down in the amendment to (c), it is introducing what will happen. The The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained ... view
• 23 Aug 2018 in National Assembly: actual regulation says that a Member who intends to participate in a meeting of a committee of the House of which he or she is not a Member he will write to the chairman, give reasons and then he may participate. I am seeing we do not need to amend the first one because, in 195(c) (2), (3), (4) and (5), we are regulating it. So, we should not straightaway say a Member cannot participate. He can participate but the participation will be in line with the restrictions that have been put, including writing to the chair indicating what is ... view