Can we have the Quorum Bell rung?

It is okay Members. Please, let us settle down. We can now transact business. We have two Notices of Motions. One is by Hon. Susan Chebet and another one by Hon. M’eruaki. We have a technical hitch. We will try and see whether you can speak from your seat. If the microphone comes on, you can speak from your seat. If not, you can use the Dispatch Box.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. My microphone is on, so I will speak from my seat. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I would like to request for adjournment on a definite matter of urgent national importance to discuss the increased cases of insecurity across the country. Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order No.33(1), I seek leave of the House to discuss the increased cases of insecurity across the country occasioned by cattle rustling among many communities. In particular, cases of cattle rustling have been experienced in Kerio Valley between the Pokot and Marakwet communities leading to loss of several lives, livestock and property. These retaliatory attacks have and continue to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities of the two communities. School-going children have not been spared either since they have been forced to flee to safer areas thereby distracting learning in schools oblivious of the up- coming national examinations. The Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government is seemingly unable to deal with this menace. I, therefore, seek for the adjournment of the House in order to discuss this matter so as to chart the way forward on possible long-lasting solutions to this recurring problem. 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.

I beg to move the Motion for Adjournment.

Do you all support this Motion for Adjournment?

Yes!

There are definitely more than 20 of you who want to discuss it. We will allow time for it. We will adjourn at 12.00 O’clock so as to have one hour of discussion on the same.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. M’eruaki was the second person with a notice of Motion.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

What is your point of order?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, is it in order for a Member of Parliament to withhold evidence that can be used in this matter? I say that because I saw a video of a Senator who was filmed in a saga where he appeared to be saying that the Pokot should beat up their neighbours. He was saying something like Samburu pagara ! Then he said Cheboi pagara ! That video is in the hands of the Temporary Deputy Speaker of this House. I thought it is very relevant to this discussion. Can you rule that Hon. Cheboi shares that video so that we see a Senator inciting the Pokot to beat up the Marakwet and the Samburu?

Hon. Kang’ata, in my view, you are already discussing the debate that we will adjourn to discuss. Can you share the information that you have during the time that we have allocated for that debate to take place?

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Gumbo, do you still want to discuss the same issue?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the matter raised by the Member for Elgeyo Marakwet is very serious. It is not the first time that we are discussing this matter. Would I be in order to request the Chair to order the heads of security in this country to be here when we are discussing this Motion? Otherwise, we will keep discussing these Motions on security and people continue dying, and yet we do not get any commitment for action. We have debated this matter for too long and yet our people continue to die. I do not want to look at it as a problem that affects the people of Elgeyo Marakwet because this is a problem that affects the whole country. This House has power to order the Inspector-General of Police or even the Cabinet Secretary to come here and make a commitment on what they are doing to stop our people from dying. Otherwise, we will continue lamenting every day while our people continue to die. We will just become a talk-shop. Would I be in order to request you very kindly to order that the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary be here as we discuss this Motion so that they can tell us what they will do to stop the killings?

It is a good idea. It would work but there is a procedure in which we engage with the Executive. We will ask our Leader of the Majority Party to be here and expedite whatever information we will come up with so that those very urgent measures can be taken. It may be difficult for me to order a Cabinet Secretary, whose programme I may not know, to be here in a matter of an hour. Let us use the structure and the systems that we have in Parliament. Let that subject rest until we bring it up again for discussion. I will not entertain any more points of order on the same. Hon. M’eruaki, you had the second notice of Motion. 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.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:- THAT, aware that Article 43 of the Constitution provides that every person has the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities; further aware that water harvesting is an important practice for water management; cognisant of the fact that earth dams and water pans would play a key role in water harvesting especially in arid and semi-arid areas; noting that large quantities of run-off water goes to waste in most parts of the country; further noting that this run-off if properly harvested and managed would be useful for domestic, livestock and irrigation purposes; appreciating that increased infrastructural development especially in roads has led to mobilisation of machineries and human resources in most areas; further appreciating that these civil engineering machineries and personnel can be useful in construction of earth dams and water pans; this House resolves that the Government through the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development ensures that all road designs and constructions incorporate run-off water harvesting and management mechanisms.

Next Order!

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to continue moving this Motion. I moved it last week but I did not conclude because of time. This Motion deals with GMOs, which is an emotive subject. In a layman’s language “GMO” is actually plant or animal breeding. The GMO technology deals with coming up with new varieties of plants and animals, like cattle that produce more milk and high yielding crops that are resistant to drought. This subject was discussed at length. The Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives looked at this subject but because of its cross-cutting nature, it was not possible to come up with a real picture on what GMOs are. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I want to tell the House that, as a country, we have a legal framework of dealing with GMOs. We have the 2006 Biotechnology Policy Paper, which was passed by this House. In 2009, this House passed the Biosafety Act. The Act specifies what GMOs are and how they should be handled and regulated, and provides for risk measures that should be put in place to ensure that the introduction of any GMO product or variety undergoes strict screening. From the Biosafety Act of 2009, the Government of Kenya established the National Biosafety Authority that has the capacity to undertake all matters to do with GMOs. This Motion has been brought to the Floor of the House because in 2012, the Government banned the use of GMOs and its research in the country. Despite having the policy, legislation and an Authority on GMO, the ban has had a devastating impact on technology in this country. Biotechnology is about food security. It is also about increasing food production. If we stifle research in plant and animal breeding, then it means we are not interested in increasing our food production. As I speak, parts of this country, like the North Eastern region, have been badly hit by drought. The country is planning to come up with measures to deal with drought. Biotechnology is used internationally to increase production. 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.

This Motion seeks answers for what informed the ban when we have a legal framework. The ban was initiated by the Ministry of Health, which has not given reasons for the ban. This matter was raised by the proponents of this Motion to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives. I am aware that the Committee delved into this matter but it has not been conclusive because it is cross-cutting. We need a Select Committee so that the House can be well-informed on this technical but very important subject.

Hon. Wandayi, you are consulting loudly.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, if we do not deal with this issue, this country will be dependent on imports. This Motion seeks to bring Members from the political divide, and all sectors of the economy to carry out serious investigation on this emotive subject. This House can then have an authentic and well researched report that can inform decisions on this subject. All our national universities have biotechnology laboratories. Our youth are studying this subject but since GMOs were banned, most of these laboratories are no longer funded because most of them were donor-funded. Therefore, most of our children, whom this country is paying very heavily for, have now become redundant. Some with qualifications in bio-technology are now in banks. You can imagine how you spend so much money training a scientist, especially a bio-technologist, only for them to end up in a bank. Most of them cannot get jobs. The purpose of this Motion is to urge the House to come up with a report that is conclusive. I believe the select committee will have a chance to interrogate the Ministry of Health on what informed the ban. I am aware that the Ministry of Health formed a taskforce that was to look into this matter. The taskforce was led by very eminent---

Order, Hon. Serut and Hon. ole Ntutu! Consult in low tones.

It was led by very eminent Kenyans who are biotechnologists. In fact, the Chairman of that taskforce was Prof. Thairu, who is now the Chair of the Commission for University Education (CUE). That is why that report has not been made public. It is clear that, that subject is shrouded with a lot of secrecy and it is a subject that is evolving very fast in the scientific world. It is a subject that should be the order of the day in discussion. As we talk today, in the world, there are over 2 billion hectares of land that are under crops that are genetically modified; mainly, maize, cotton, soya beans and all horticultural crops. It basically includes all crops. Even the fruits that you see being sold across the street are from Egypt. They are all GMO made. What do we do? We have a major laboratory in Kibwezi to come up with water efficient maize that can grow in dry areas in Makueni. Research has been going on but, because of the ban, it has gone down. They have come up with a maize variety that will be given to the people of Makueni and North Eastern to start growing. It is called Bt maize. It is resilient to drought and maize stalk borer. I am sure the Member of Parliament from that area, if he will get a chance to talk, will say more about it. I do not want to go deep into this subject because it is subject to further investigation. All I appeal to the Members of this House is this: Let us put aside our biases. You do not do science when you are already biased. You go to science when you are completely neutral and you expect 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.

any results. If this select committee is formed, let it be open to all those who are for and against GMOs. Finally, they will bring into this House a balanced report. From there, this House will make a decision whether, as a country, we will be making a mistake to have a law that deals with bio-technology. Should we repeal our Biosafety Act or Policy? Should we stop training our youth in our universities in biotechnology? That is the essence of this Motion. I know we have colleagues who have a strong opinion on this matter. I appeal to them to be sober and act as scientists. From there, the report will come here and your views will be part of that report based on scientific information. Before I conclude, I beg you to allow me to propose some little amendment to this Motion. That is because we have Members of this House who felt that they should be in the Committee so that they can bring divergent opinions and I am in agreement. So, if you allow me, I can do so.

Can you give him another three minutes to move the amendment? I will use Standing Order 48 to allow you to amend the Motion. I have already approved that amendment.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to do so. I beg to propose the following amendment to the Motion that I have just moved. I wish to amend the above Motion by adding the names of the following Members after Member Number 17:- 18. Hon. Shakeel Shabbir, MP. 19. Hon. Daniel Maanzo, MP. 20. Hon. Mohamed Duale, MP. 21. Hon. Muthomi Njuki, MP.

I ask my brother, Hon. Chris Wamalwa, to second. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

I can also see Hon. Makenga standing. Who did you choose to second?

Sorry. Is it seconding the amendment or the Motion? This is because I have somebody to second the Motion.

Second the Motion as amended.

Okay. I have Hon. Makenga to second the Motion as amended.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to second this Motion as amended by my very good friend, Hon. Wilber Ottichilo. This is a very important Motion. It is of national importance because it is all about the need to establish a select committee to look into matters relating to GMOs. As we are all aware, the ban on GMOs was imposed in 2012. The ban was necessitated by a group of people. We have information that there was no tangible evidence that was provided to necessitate the ban. Therefore, the establishment of a select committee to comprehensively investigate and inquire into this matter is very timely. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we have established---

Just come and use the Dispatch Box. We continue to have this challenge. 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.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, we have established that the National Biosafety Authority was not involved in the said recommendation which prompted the ban in 2012. Therefore, a thorough and comprehensive investigation on the ban of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) should be conducted. GMOs provide a chance to feed the ever growing population at a cheaper cost. Many independent studies have come up with verdicts that GMOs are safe. The University of California conducted such a study on one million animal species and established that there were no ill health effects arising from the GMO technology.

On a point of order.

Order! Hon. Makenga, there is a point of order. I do not know what is out of order in moving a Motion.

( Off-record ).

No! It was not the amendment.

He was supposed to be seconding the amendment.

We agreed that he is seconding the Motion as amended.

On a point of order.

Hon. Members, I clearly said when I was moving that I am using Standing Order No.48 which states:- “The Speaker may permit a Member to move in amended form a Motion of which notice has been given if, in the opinion of the Speaker, the amendment does not materially alter any principle embodied in the Motion of which notice has been given.” There is no substantial change in the Motion except the addition of the names. So, we are moving it in the amended form. We will pass or not pass it because there is no substantial change or movement. Order! Order! Hon. Washiali.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to correct the amendment.

To correct the amendment? What are you correcting?

There is a wrong name. You know when we are amending it, it must be correct. I am aware that when Hon. (Dr.) Ottichilo was proposing the names of the Members to be added, he proposed a Mr. Mohammed Duale. I am a Deputy Whip and on record, I do not have any Member of Parliament---

Hon. Duale is the Member for Dadaab.

You are the one who needs to be informed. There are two Duale’s in this House. It is not the Leader of the Majority Party, but a different Member.

My apologies, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Okay. Continue, Hon. Makenga.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Whip just wants to “eat” into my time.

In earlier experiences with GMOs in the United States of America (USA), India and South Africa, those countries were convinced that the technology only benefits a few farmers. However, there is an ever-growing list of GMOs which have potential to solve many modern problems. Some of the countries have lifted existing bans and the GMOs are now all over the world and some crops are being grown in those countries.

I think this country needs to come up with a regulation and not strangulation of GMOs. In Kenya, we have sufficient capacity to regulate the adoption and use of research and development 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.

of GMO technology. As you are all aware, we have the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) which is very competent and can conduct research and development pertaining to GMOs. There are also other agencies like Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Department of Veterinary Services, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). Those are very competent institutions which can carry out research and give a well informed position on GMOs.

Therefore, the earlier ban in 2012 did not include all those agencies which are key in our country. I think there is an urgent need to adopt a legislative framework to further explore GMOs in Kenya. This is important to dispel the fears and pave way for adoption of beneficial GMOs.

I beg to second the Motion as amended. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Okay, Members. I then want to propose the Question.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

What is your point of order? Is it a point of order or a point of contribution?

It is a point of order.

What is not in order? There is no connectivity there. You have to go to the Dispatch Box.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I stand guided on this issue. The Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives sent Members to the United States of America on the matter we are about to discuss. Hon. Ottichilo has also appeared before our Committee on the issue. We have met with other stakeholders on this issue and the Report is pending tabling before the House. Is it in order for Hon. Ottichilo to purport to bring a Motion proposing to establish a select committee to deal with an issue he has participated in and contributed enormously?

Can we hear a few more Members on the same? Hon. Washiali?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I would not want to appear like I am opposing Dr. Ottichilo. But this is just for the mere fact that the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has been exhaustively handled by the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives. The taskforce that was constituted by the Ministry of Health appeared before the Committee three times. Researchers from the University of Nairobi (UoN) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) appeared before the Committee. The National BioSafety Authority (NBA) also appeared before us twice, if my memory serves me right. Therefore, I think it is a responsibility of this House to use financial resources wisely. If this select committee was identified, it would have put some expenditure before the House. Just like Hon. Serut said, Members of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives went to the USA, which includes two Members who have been proposed to be Members of this select committee. They spent two weeks in the USA. They visited another country, which I cannot remember, over the issue of GMOs. We visited two countries to do a comparative analysis. 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.

If that report came to the House, I am sure among the resolutions that had been adopted was that the Government should allow non-ingestive GMO products. I remember very well because we have Bt Cotton and some GMO trees which the Government, according to that report or the resolutions, had allowed as we continue with research. The Government should now allow non-ingestive GMO products, so that those which are ingestive like maize that he was talking about, undergo further research. Another thing he may have mentioned here and I want to correct is that this taskforce stopped research on GMOs. Research on GMOs is still going on. I am sure we may very soon access other reports that have been exhaustively done by our researchers at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). We have a very serious department that handles GMOs in KARI. We also have other research stations at UoN and JKUAT. Research on GMOs is going on. I beg that you make a ruling that the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, which has looked at this issue, tables the report. You can give it a timeline of two weeks. If it is not exhaustive enough, we can revisit this Motion, so that we can then come up with a select committee. I beg to oppose.

Okay. Was it Simba Arati I saw first?

No. It was Simba Arati, Hon. Wamalwa.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. It is just to do a follow up. First of all, I want to indicate that the failure of system here is all about integrity and many other things. We are seeing it following down as my colleague just pointed out. I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives and we have dealt with this issue. Hon. Ottichilo has come in. Hon. Makenga is not a Member of the Committee, but I have heard him talking about the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and other organisations which we have invited. We have been in breakfast meetings where those many other organisations brought in their input. What is happening here, what I am seeing, is like what happened to the Motion which we brought here to establish a select committee on gambling. When we had the Motion, some Members went round, colluded out there and formed another committee to defeat the Motion which was in the House. If we cannot even regulate importation of sugar into this country, do we want to give a window where human lives are going to be directly affected by GMOs?

On a point of order, you are now digressing.

I am not contributing, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The only thing I want to say is that Hon. Ottichilo is out of order by bringing this Motion. He has been involved in large scale in terms of contribution.

On a point of order.

I am on a point of order. Of course, you cannot be on a point of order when I am on a point of order. I request that you set aside this Motion until the report on GMOs from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives is tabled in the House.

That is okay. Hon. Ntutu, let us not take too long because we just need to make a decision whether we stay the Motion for sometime before bringing it back. 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.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity. Mine is to ask the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives why the report has overstayed with the Committee? They have not tabled it?

The reason my good friend Ottichilo is bringing this Motion is because we know why this report has overstayed with the Departmental Committee. Why can the Committee not bring the report, so that we can know what is there? The issue here is that our people are suffering in North Eastern. We want to help them with food and you are not bringing this report and you are not giving us the reason. Why can you not bring this report, so that we can see and judge?

Hon. Ochanda?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is not in order that we blame Hon. Ottichilo for bringing this Motion. There is normally a process. For a Motion to get here, there must have been an approval process. So, the Motion was approved and it got into this situation. We are getting good information, but information that is very close to what Hon. Ntutu is saying, that we should be debating the report rather than a Motion. We cannot fault the Motion when it has reached here and gone this far and blame Hon. Ottichilo for that. Hon. Ottichilo is very much in order. We would rather get to a situation whereby we indicate very clearly that now that there is information from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives that they have been looking at this issue, you rule that we have the Motion on hold until such a time that this report will be brought to the House. It is not right to blame Hon. Ottichilo.

Hon. Pukose

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. It is important for us to note that this Motion by Hon. Ottichilo has been hanging in the Order Paper for almost one year. It is also important to note that Hon. Washiali and Hon. Serut are Members of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives and they are also Members of the House Business Committee (HBC). As Members of the HBC, they might have contributed to the delay of this document. Being Members of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, they were aware that the Committee was dealing with the issue of GMOs.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker

I am on a point of order. The report of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives should have been tabled about a year ago. Issues of GMOs are cross- cutting and involve health, agricultural and educational matters. This issue would better be handled by a select committee than the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives.

It is also important for the public to note that we have had Committee reports delayed to be tabled in the House because Members have interest in those areas. I do not know whether these colleagues from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives have interests in the GMO Report because even in the select committee, Hon. Ottichilo has included Members from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives. Since the Members are claiming to be more knowledgeable, let them enrich the debate by telling us what they know about GMOs, so that we can get the feeling that they have handled this issue exhaustively. I support Hon. Ottichilo that a select committee be formed, to do its work and table the report. 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.

We are now taking too long on this.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I will be very brief. I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, but there is a problem with the Committee. What Hon. Ottichilo is doing is right. The GMOs are very important to this country. It is a problem. The Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives is delaying the report. Why are two Members of the Committee including the Vice- Chair in the proposed select committee? Why did they accept to be in the select committee? This is because they know that there is a problem with the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives in releasing the report. There is something that we do not know in this House. So, I suggest that the select committee be formed as soon as possible.

Hon. Makali. If your microphone is not working, come to the Dispatch Box.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to be very brief. Hon. Ottichilo has brought a very important Motion to this House. As a result of this Motion, we can hear the Members of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives telling us what has been happening behind the scenes and what has not been presented to this House. We need to be fair to Kenyans. The GMOs are very important to this country and this is a matter of national interest. As the Committee is proposing, we can allow them about two weeks to present this report to the House. Based on that report, we can debate this Motion and see whether we need to add anything. That does not mean that we take what the Committee has been doing lightly. What they are telling us today, they should have told us a year ago. We are concerned. I get concerned when I hear Members talk about personal interests in matters of national interest. We need to separate personal and public interests. Where we have matters of public interest, we need to rise above private interests. We can allow them about two weeks.

Hon. Regina Ndambuki.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I also rise to support Hon. Makali and others that we need that report on the Floor of the House. We cannot have one issue with three Committees. Some people went to the USA and they never brought their report here. The Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives has been sitting for a year and then they want to form another Committee. What are they hiding? As Kenyans and Members of this House, we say no to this until we get the actual report from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives.

Hon. Gichigi.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. My position is that we are treating Hon. Ottichilo badly. He has come up with a very good idea which is very important for this country, but because of the failure by the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives to carry out its work, we are purporting ulterior motives on him. In law, and it has been replicated in petitions in this House, at the bottom of a petition, you normally indicate that that issue is not pending in any court of law. Once a court’s attention is brought up, that a case on a similar issue is pending elsewhere, it cannot continue to deal with that issue. My proposal is that we have a look at the issue that is pending before the Committee. If it is similar to what this Motion intends to do, you will obviously indicate that we cannot use resources twice. Let that report first come here. If it is not sufficient, perhaps we can debate this. As a court would do, pend this particular Motion, investigate and inquire into what is pending before the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative, make a ruling, and then we can make a decision from an informed point of view. 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.

Let us have Hon. Wamalwa.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Rotino, you have already spoken to this matter.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Motion by Hon. Ottichilo is wonderful. I did not know that a similar investigation had been done by the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives. You research to investigate and answer a research problem. You do not do research to pass time. This Motion has clear objectives which are supposed to be achieved. If at all there is a problem in the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, in line with the Standing Order No.1, you can exercise your powers and order the Committee to table that report within a week or this afternoon if it is possible. Once we look at that report and see gaps that have not been filled, then the Motion by Hon. Ottichilo will continue. From precedent, a select committee is put in place if a matter is cross-cutting. The matter of GMO is cross-cutting. The Ministry of Health banned GMOs. Therefore, the Departmental Committee on Health has to play a critical role in these investigations. We also need full disclosure why GMOs were banned. My humble request and suggestion is that you order the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives to table the report this afternoon, if it is available. If possible, we can debate it and if there are any gaps, the select committee proposed by Ottichilo can proceed.

Hon. Members, I want to thank you for your contributions. As you have all rightly observed, we want to use resources in an efficient way. So, I order that we get a report from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Co-operatives within the next two weeks at the latest.

Therefore, we put a stay on our Motion. If that does not happen, we will know there is no report from the Committee and, therefore, we can proceed to form a select committee. Next Order.

Where is Hon. Mwaura? I do not see him in the House. The Motion is dropped.

Hon. Lusweti. Are Members not aware that their Motions are on the Order Paper? Is Hon. Joyce Emanikor here? It could be a confusion that they knew the previous Motion was going to take a bit of time. I do not see Hon. Joyce Emanikor.

Hon. Deputy Speaker---

We do not have any communication to show that you are going to represent her. Order No.12 is by Hon. Mithika Linturi and Order No.13 is by Hon. David Kangogo. Hon. Members, this is your morning. This is the time you are supposed to prosecute your own Motions and Bills.

Without any of those Members present, we are forced then to adjourn the Sitting of today. There being no other business, the House stands adjourned until this afternoon at 2.30 p.m.

The House adjourned at 10.54 a.m.

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