It is the first Wednesday of this Session which is something that Members must actually be congratulated for. So, let us proceed with business. Is that from the Leader of the Majority Party or the Majority Whip?

No, it is on behalf of the Leader of Majority Party.

Okay, next Order.

I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows:- A maximum of forty five (45) minutes for the Mover, in moving and fifteen minutes (15) in replying, a maximum of thirty (30) minutes for the Chairperson of the relevant Committee (if the Bill is not sponsored by the relevant Committee), and a maximum of ten (10) minutes for any other Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen Minutes (15) each (if the Bill is not sponsored by either of them); and that priority in speaking be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party, the Leader of the Minority Party and the Chairperson of the relevant Departmental Committee, in that order. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. On behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party, I would like to move Procedural Motion No.9. However, before I do that, I wanted to make a general statement so that Members who may not be aware know. Those of you who have Order Papers, the Motions from No.9 to No.15 are actually meant to be setting rules for this Session. This being the Second Session of this Parliament, it is important that from the beginning of the Session, we set House rules which are actually made by these Procedural Motions. You will see Standing Order No. 97(4) being repeated in all these Procedural Motions. Given that we are 349 actually, it has become important for us to reduce the timing so that we can give every Member an opportunity to contribute. We have Bills sponsored by Committees and those not sponsored by Committees. We also have Motions including Adjournment Motions, Reports of Committees, Address by the President and Sessional Papers which will come before us for debate. We have these Procedural Motions to enable us allocate time to every Member who wants to debate in the House. Hon. Deputy Speaker, if you allow me, I wanted to advise Members that this does not stop any Member from rising in his position and adjusting time whenever there is a business that requires more or less time. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I had given some… 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 hope you are not going to speak much now, because in your opening remarks and that is why I allowed you, I wanted you to make it clear to Members. Really, it is now fairly straight forward. You do not really need to give justifications. You already did it in advance. So, please, let us be brief.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have taken note of that. Thanks for the guidance. I therefore ask Hon. (Dr.) Pukose to second.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. This is a Procedural Motion and I second. Just to add to what the Majority Whip said, in Procedural Motions like these, after the Motion is moved and seconded, any Member has a right to request for reduction of time because in most cases you have many Members wishing to contribute to debate/. So you can ask for reduction of time and the Deputy Speaker will seek the consensus of the House. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for allowing me to second this Motion.

As you have just seconded, and for Members to be clear, when you want to make that kind of a Motion, it should be at the beginning and not somewhere halfway through. It is important because that is what the Standing Order says.

Put the Question!

But I see many Members who want to say something.

No, put the Question.

Is that the feeling of the House?

Yes.

I beg to move the following Procedural Motion:

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills NOT sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows:- A maximum of three hours and thirty minutes, with not more than thirty (30) minutes for the Mover, in moving and ten (10) minutes in replying, a maximum of thirty (30) minutes for the Chairperson of the relevant Committee and a maximum of ten (10) minutes for any other Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen Minutes (15) each; and that priority in speaking be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party, the Leader of the Minority Party and the Chairperson of the relevant Departmental Committee, in that order. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I had made a general observation and explanation which I think still applies to this… 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.

Majority Whip, so that Members can differentiate, you will have to tell them that the first one, for example, was for debate on Bills sponsored by the parties or committees and then what this second one is about so that it becomes easier.

Correct. Hon. Deputy Speaker, any Member who was keen must have heard while I was reading this that these are Bills not sponsored by a Committee. I think, I would like to be sensitive to all sides of the House and I want to request Hon. Chris Wamalwa to second this Motion.

Okay, Hon. Dr. Wamalwa.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. As the able Mover has just mentioned, this is Procedural Motion and it is focusing particularly on debates of individual Members’ Bills. I also want to highlight that when you talk of individual, these are Private Members’ Bills and most of the times they come on a Wednesday. So, on a day like this, morning hours, it is normally reserved for private Members. This is important particularly for the new Members then maybe, in the afternoon, other businesses can follow. So, the limitations that have been put here are just the dos and don’ts. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I stand here to second. I can see Hon. Members in red. I want to wish them a happy Valentine’s Day, and for the Christians like me, I want to also wish them a blessed Ash Wednesday. For Christians, we are not celebrating Valentine’s Day. Today particularly is a day for reconciliation, it is a day for fasting and praying. And you are supposed to abstain from those other things. So, Hon. Deputy Speaker, without much ado, I wish them a blessed Ash Wednesday. This is the beginning of Lent; a time we pray for 40 days as we prepare for the Easter Holiday. This country needs much reconciliation, particularly at this time when it is so divided. This season should foster a good and peaceful environment in this House so that we can move together as a country and as a team. I thank you and second.

Whereas I could see the male Members nodding in applause, the Minority Whip added the issue of reconciliation, which is not very specific to the one of the Ash Wednesday – which is mostly about fasting and praying, but reconciliation is always part of it.

Put the Question.

Is that the feeling of the House?

Yes!

I see there are many feeling this Ash Wednesday.

Next Order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural 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.

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that each speech in a debate on any Motion, including a Special Motion, be limited in the following manner: A maximum of three hours with not more than twenty (20) minutes for the Mover and ten (10) minutes for each other Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes each, and that ten (10)minutes before the expiry of the time, the Mover shall be called upon to reply; and that priority in speaking be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party, the Leader of the Minority Party and the Chairperson of the relevant Departmental Committee, in that order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, just like the previous Procedural Motions, this one will be touching on Motions which include the Adjournment Motions that Members always request the House to give them an opportunity to move. The guidelines are clear and without wasting much time, I request Hon. Kigano Muturi to second.

That is a senior Member. Hon. Kigano, let us hear you.

I rise to second this very important Procedural Motion. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I want to assure you that on this side of the House, particularly on my own behalf, we also offer felicitations for the Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. We share what Hon. (Dr.) Wamalwa said. Since he confesses to be a Christian and every Christian is called to be a priest in his own right, we expect him to preach peace, reconciliation and not contention all the time. Let him preach peace to the Hon. Leader of the Minority Party and his side of the House, especially during these 40 days of Ash. Let him preach peace to the heads of the coalition on his side. Thank you very much.

You did not second.

I seconded. I rise to second the Procedural Motion on Limitation of Debate on Motions.

That is better. Hon. Kigano, you are a seasoned Member of Parliament and at that age you should never forget. I know you could have easily been carried away with the issues of love in the air and the reconciliation, but all the same you have seconded.

Members are in much hurry to put the Question this morning. What I am not so sure is whether it is because of the Ash Wednesday or because of the Valentine’s Day. On this particular one, I will give one Member who is dressed in an ash manner and one who is dressed in the Valentine manner. So, let us have Hon. (Dr.) Nyikal. That must be ash really.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let me start by wishing all the Members a happy Valentines’ Day. The Ash Wednesday is taken for granted. Valentine’s Day needs a bit of effort. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I rise to support this Procedural Motion, but it is important because these Motions take most of Wednesday mornings when Members bring up a lot of Motions. I am concerned that for the time I have been here, I have seen most of these Motions passed, but they have never been implemented and yet Members put in so much time. Therefore, I urge the leadership of the House, the House Business Committee and the Committee on Implementation; that, as a House, we should ensure that Motions that are passed 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.

by this House are implemented. Many times, Members urge the Government to work on issues. However, when those in the Government are just urged, they do not take action. We should now move into ways of resolving those challenges. The Government should do something about it; it should follow up on these issues. I remember two important Motions; one said that every constituency should have two kilometres of road tarmacked, but that resolution has not been implemented. The other one urged the Government to ensure that every school has water for children’s use. That one has also not been implemented. That is something we need to look into so that Wednesday mornings are not wasted on talking, urging and passing Motions yet nothing gets done. As you are aware today is a combination of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday. Therefore, we should put more meaning in our discussions.

Hon. Speaker, I support.

Hon. Jayne Kihara, do you want to say something?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. You have caught me unawares because Hon. Sankok was having a very important discussion with me.

Hon. Sankok, you are definitely out of order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I do not know whether I am to second or not. I would like to wish Hon. Members a happy Valentine’s Day. As you can see, I am dressed in red because I recognise this day as one in which we are supposed to be friends, mend fences and work as a team. We were all elected by our people to come here to represent them and when we fight in this House we seem not to honour the electorate who put us in office.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to support.

Hon. Washiali Jomo.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion:

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that each speech in a debate on a Report of a Committee, including a Report of a Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament or any other Report submitted to the House, be limited as follows:- A maximum of sixty (60) minutes for the Mover in moving and thirty (30) minutes in replying, and a maximum of ten (10) minutes for any other Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes each; and that priority be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party.

Again, this is another Procedural Motion, which I request Members to support. A duration of 10 minutes will be the limitation of time for Members debating Reports of Committees. I am sure we have quite a number of Reports and I know some of them will be brought during the afternoon session. It is, therefore, important for Members to remember this 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.

time limitation so that they do not talk forever. We must put this in place so that we can accord as many members as possible an opportunity to debate any given Report.

I move and request Hon. (Dr.) Rachael Nyamai to second.

Hon. Kaki Nyamai.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for making reference to my name “Kaki”.The people of Kitui South call me by that name and I like to be associated with it. As I second this Procedural Motion let me say that the people of Kitui South are very excited. I have already seen their nice photographs which they have taken on the tarmac road and they are dressed in red. I am talking about the 147 kilometers tarmac, which is the first one to be seen in Kitui South. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day we are also celebrating the appearance of the first “Road in Black”. Children have been travelling from 60 kilometers away just to see how a tarmac road looks like. Therefore, I dedicate this day to the people of Kitui South, the President and Deputy President of Kenya for giving Kitui South a good gift on Valentine’s Day. My brother, Hon. Chris Wamalwa, has just left the Chamber but when I met him outside he was dressed in a way to suggest that he was more of Valentine’s Day and less of the Ash Wednesday. However, I would like to thank him for the statements he made.

I do not want you to discuss your colleague without a substantive Motion. Are you suggesting that he is a nomad in his character?

Proceed!

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second this important Procedural Motion. Work in this House happens in committees and a lot of time has been given to debate on reports of committees, with 60 minutes being given to the Mover. Most of the reports on petitions and bills brought here by chairpersons of committees are heavy. Therefore, allocating 30 minutes to the Mover to reply is quite adequate and shows that most business of this House happens in committees.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I second.

Hon. Members I want to make it clear to you that the first Procedural Motion was Limitation of Debate on Bills being sponsored by parties or committees. The second one was on limitation of debate on individual Members’ Bills, which is done on Wednesdays. The third one was on limitation of debate on Motions and now we are on limitation of debate on reports of committees.

Put the Question!

Is that the mood of the House?

Yes.

Okay. You know I have to look at the Leader of the Minority Party just in case he wants to say something. You may have realized that these Procedural Motions give priority to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party.

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 move the following Procedural Motion:

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4) and in furtherance to the provisions of Standing Order 24 (6), this House orders that debate on the Motion on the Address by the President be limited to no more than five (5) minutes for each Member Speaking, thirty (30) minutes for the Mover in moving and replying and twenty (20) minutes for the Leader of Minority Party.

Again, this is a Procedural Motion just like the other ones. Like I had said in the opening remarks, this does not stop any member from rising from his position and adjusting the Motion depending on the interest the Motion will have. Therefore, to save this House’s valuable time, I move and request the Leader of the Minority Party to second.

Let us have Hon. Mbadi, the Leader of the Minority Party.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. You will indulge me just one minute. Yesterday, I think we started not on a very good note. So, I did not take time to welcome back my colleagues after a long recess and New Year 2018, which we have never had. We have never debated in 2018. Yesterday was the first day. Unfortunately, we started at a point where we were complaining and trying to flex muscles with our colleagues. All in all, I want to say that I am happy that we are all back. There are a few of our colleagues who are unwell. I know there are a few of our colleagues who are out of the country for treatment. We wish them good luck; that they get medication and come back soon, even without mentioning names. I really do not want to talk about today because I do not subscribe to either the Valentine’s Day or the Ash Wednesday. I am a Christian but my faith is, probably, slightly different on the Ash Wednesday. I respect our brothers and sisters who profess that faith. On the issue before us, I just want to second this Procedural Motion. The Constitution requires that the President will be addressing the nation as and when necessary or when the President requests. I do not want to go into the details of discussing about the Presidency and the Executive. You know we have issues in this country which I hope will be resolved soon. This is about the fundamentals of the law – that, a country will have a president and the president will address the country and when the country is addressed then we need, as a House, to take our time and discuss that. So, this is limiting the debate on the Address by the President. Hon. Deputy Speaker, just allow me to say one word before I sit down. This is a Procedural Motion. We do not need to take much time debating it. I plead to the membership of this 12th Parliament. I am not indicting this 12th Parliament. I think it is something that we observed even from the 11th Parliament – that you really do not have to contribute to every order that is before the House or every item, whether a Motion or a Bill, that is before the House if you are not prepared for it. I would rather see a few of us take a bit of time to contribute either to Bills or Motions and the rest of us may just support. However, the debate should be qualitative so that the people of Kenya understand what is contained in the Bills or Motions before the House. There is a tendency by some of us to just want to speak so many times. There is this organisation that has been running reports on how MPs contribute without even looking at the quality of that debate and saying Mbadi has contributed 1,000 times while 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.

so-and-so has only contributed six times without really interrogating what Mbadi said during the 1,000 times that I stood to speak. To me, it would be of value to the people of Kenya, the taxpayers and to this House if we just have a few individuals who are well informed and who take their time to read the Bills and understand them and make their contribution so that all of us who, probably, did not have time or, for whatever reason, were not able to read the Bill would also understand what we have passed. If tomorrow you are asked questions about some of the laws that you have passed and you have no clue, it makes you look very bad. I remember one of us who is now a governor, Hon. Ottichilo, the Governor for Vihiga stood to speak on matters of science, space and such like things and you would really admire him and wonder why we cannot have just him alone address such a Bill as opposed to all of us wanting to say something. That was just my request because I see people really struggling at times to the extent that we end up limiting time even for those who have more information to give to this House and to the people of Kenya. With those many remarks, allow me to second the Motion.

I really want to emphasise what Hon. Mbadi, the Leader of the Minority Party, has just stated. In this House, I believe we have a lot of Members who specialised in various fields. Let us speak to those areas we have a lot of knowledge in. That will help the House in making decisions as well as imparting information to the country.

Put the Question!

Hon. Jomo Washiali.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion:

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that each speech in a debate on any Sessional Paper shall be limited as follows: A maximum of sixty (60) minutes, with not more than ten (10) minutes for the Mover in moving and five (5) minutes for any other Member speaking, including the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party and that five (5) minutes before the expiry of the time, the Mover shall be called upon to reply; and further that priority in speaking shall be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, in that order.

Again, just like the other Procedural Motions, this addresses the debate on Sessional Papers. From the experience we have had as the leadership, this is one of the businesses that has attracted least interest of members. I wish to state that the Sessional Papers are very important papers that we need to look at. Whenever we move the Motions, I urge members to look at the Sessional Papers so that we do not just pass laws that will affect us in the latter days.

I thank the Members who have been seconding. For your information, we have chosen the Members who are seconding carefully. If you remember, the Motion on Address by the President was seconded by Hon. Mbadi. We had a good reason why we wanted Hon. Mbadi to 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.

second that Motion because lately he has been a bit reluctant in attending the Address of the President. Therefore, by him seconding, I think that makes him change his position. We want to see him participate in the future Address by the President.

I think you are eliciting unnecessary excitement, Hon. Washiali. I believe that when you allowed the Leader of the Minority Party to second, you did so in good faith. I did not expect that you were trying to have him commit himself in one way or the other. That would not be in good order for Members. When you give him an opportunity to second, he is just supposed to do so. It has nothing to do with those issues you are trying to raise. This is a constitutional matter and it should end there. What is it, Hon. Mbadi?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am moving the Motion. I have not finished.

He is on a point of order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Chief Whip of the Majority Party is completely out of order. When you allow a Member to second a Motion, it should be any Member and it should not be in a way to try and fix anyone in any way. By the way, the Motion is very clear. It talks about the Address by the President. It does not mention a name. It can be John Mbadi as the President. I will be addressing this House. Let Hon. Washiali know that my position has not changed. It is still the same. I do not have to repeat it. I do not want to talk about it after I expressed myself.

Hon. Mbadi, I think you have made it clear. The Chief Whip of the Majority Party, let us restrict ourselves to this so that we do not elicit unnecessary issues this Ash Wednesday.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Mbadi is my very good friend. I just want to reaffirm my position as a good friend and my loyalty to him as the Leader of the Minority Party. I would like to add that this was done in good faith. I did not have anything else on the side because I am just moving a Procedural Motion. That said and done, I want to request the nominated Member, Hon. Sankok to second.

Hon. Sankok, I just want to remind you that this Order is on sessional papers.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker for reminding me. Of course, I know. I do not subscribe to Ash Wednesday but I want to wish all the Members of this House and the public a happy Valentine’s Day. It is a very important day for us. We dedicate this Valentine’s Day to love our country. As I second this Motion, I also wish that the security personnel of our Members is reinstated. Yesterday, while they spoke, they seemed to be really shaken. We can understand why they are shaken because they come from a coalition where the principal was threatened by an avocado fruit. They had all the reason to be shaken. We need to limit the debate on Motions on sessional papers. The membership of this House has been expanding since 1963. We had a few Members in 1963 but now we have a membership of more than 300 Members meaning that we really need to…

What is it, Hon. Osotsi? How is your name pronounced? Is it Osotsi or Ototsi? 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.

It is Osotsi. Hon. Deputy Speaker, is it in order for Hon. Sankok to say that our principal was threatened by an avocado? Hon. Sankok is used to making some wild allegations and we will ask him to substantiate his remarks.

That makes the two of you. Hon. Sankok, I asked you to restrict yourself to the Motion on sessional papers then you proceeded to bring in avocados and other fruits.

Let me withdraw my sentiments. I apologise. Probably he was sorted by the wife. I withdraw and apologise for that. We need a productive discussion so I rise to support and second the Motion on limitation of debate on sessional papers.

On behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion:

THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 97(4), this House orders that the debate on any Motion for the Adjournment of the House to a day other than the next normal Sitting Day in accordance with the Calendar of the Assembly, be limited to a maximum of three (3) hours with not more than five (5) minutes for each Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) minutes each; and that priority be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, in that order provided that, when the period of recess proposed by any such motion does not exceed ten (10) days, the debate shall be limited to a maximum of thirty minutes (30), and shall be strictly confined to the question of the adjournment. Again, this is just another Procedural Motion just like the previous ones. I know quite a number of Members participated in Adjournment Motions that we had in the previous Session. That means that I should not take our precious time in trying to explain what Adjournment Motion is about. I beg to move and ask Hon. (Ms.) Elsie Muhanda, the Member of Parliament for Kakamega County to second.

Let us have Hon. (Ms.) Muhanda. I understand why the Chief Whip of the Majority Party noticed you on a Wednesday. Proceed.

Hon. (Ms

What is it, Hon. Lentoimaga? You have placed your card at the intervention slot for quite some time.

Thank you so much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. First of all, I want to wish you and all the Members who are here a Happy New Year.

Hon. Lentoimaga, that cannot be correct because we have met many times. Anyway proceed.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, we have met but not in the Chamber. This is the first time you have given me an opportunity to talk here. That is why I want to express that happiness.

I do not subscribe to Valentine but I am a staunch Catholic. As other Members have said, I recognise and believe in the Ash Wednesday. This is a very important day for Catholics. It is the time we repent for 40 days just like Jesus Christ went to the wilderness for 40 days. During Easter Sunday, we believe that Christ will rise and forgive our sins.

That notwithstanding, I want to support this Motion. I want to say that this House is great. It has to make its own calendar, especially during this new Session. We need to work together as leaders. This is a new year even though we have different opinions. We want to reach out to our friends because elections and campaigns are over. We want to work hard now to ensure that we fulfil our pledges for this particular year which we promised Kenyans when we went out to campaign.

Lastly, I am really worried about the state of security in Samburu North, Samburu County Marakwet and Isiolo. As the chairman of pastoralist parliamentary group, I want leaders to work together and ensure that peace prevails, especially at this particular time when we have drought. Anytime there is drought, there is competition for resources such as pasture and water. So, we want to appeal to our Members in pastoralist parliamentary group to ensure that we do not fight. We should ensure that we work together because no particular leader in any area, even in northern Kenya, can tell his people to go and raid. We want to work together to ensure that we pacify this tension in areas that are affected by cattle rustling.

Thank you so much. I support the Motion.

To balance the House, I will give the opportunity to Hon. Adagala, Member for Vihiga. If she is not interested, I will give the opportunity to Hon. Ochieng Awour. Are you interested Member for Vihiga? I am trying to locate you. You have the microphone now.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I stand here as a privilege. Thank you for giving me this time to say something concerning this Motion. I want to say that people are happy. This peace should prevail. Even the mood in the House shows that people are actually in love. This is the mood that we should always have in this House. I want to tell 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.

Members who love Valentine to continue in that mood. The Catholics should also continue in that mood. If it continues, I know we will live harmoniously in this country and House.

I stand to also add my voice to this Motion. I support it. Thank you.

The Majority Whip

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act relating to extension of period for consideration of nominees for appointment to State and Public Offices, this House resolves to extend the period for consideration of the nominees submitted by the President for appointment to the offices of Principal Secretaries, High Commissioners and Ambassadors by a further period of 14 days from 14th February 2018.

This Motion is very important to us because today is 14th and the date for consideration of nominees will expire today. A number of nominees have not even reached the committee levels. Many committees have not vetted these Principal Secretaries. This Motion is very important. I want to urge colleagues to support it, so that we can extend this period by another 14 days. This will give committees opportunities to vet these officers. Hon. Deputy Speaker, as we extend the period, we also urge the Committees to be vigilant because a period of 14 days is not long. If we take longer than the 14 days, we will need to come back to this House to further extend the period. As the leadership of Parliament, we shall be reluctant to do that because there is vetting and report writing, which we may need to seek leave from the Speaker to retreat and write a report. That takes time because some of the issues raised by the candidates require a lot of time to look at so that we can have credible officials hired to these positions.

This is a very important Motion without which we will not get the opportunity to vet the people who have been nominated.

I beg to move and ask my good brother, Hon. Murungaru to second. Thank you.

Hon. Murungaru. 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. Temporary Deputy Speaker. My correct name is Gitonga Murugara, MP Tharaka.

I rise to second the Motion. It is a crucial Motion that touches on both the Executive and Parliament. The Motion seeks to have the time limited by the statute, that ends today extended by 14 days to enable the Chief Executive of the country to deliver to Parliament the names of the appointees to be vetted and approved. It is important that this House considers those names; it is important that this House prepares a report in accordance with its mandate; and it is important that that list is approved so that the appointments are effected. It is also very important that the Government is put in place because, as Members of Parliament, we require these Government officers in offices so that we can visit and consult them and do all that relates to those offices regarding our various constituencies. It is important that I speak for my constituency, Tharaka. There is drought in the constituency. I speak to the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and the Principal Secretary who were appointed that there is a shortage of water as rivers are drying up because of the drought. We need to consult the Government regarding that. There is insecurity because of cattle rustling and banditry activities. It is vital that the Government is in place and these issues are tackled. Therefore, this is a crucial Motion. Another 14 days will ensure that we vet the appointees and submit a report so that they are appointed by the Chief Executive of the country and get to work.

I, therefore, second this Motion.

Put the Question.

Is that the mood of the House?

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker.

Let me give this chance to Hon. Atandi who is on an intervention.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I want to make a point on this Motion. You know that as a coalition, we will not participate in the vetting exercise of State officers. I rise to oppose this Motion because, in my view, what has been happening during the vetting, based on my observation, is not vetting. It is basically validating orders from above. Therefore, it is rubber- stamping. In my view, we do not need to waste time over matters that the Members of Parliament from the Jubilee Party are aware that they have been given express orders on.

Order Member! You cannot raise your hand. You must press your intervention button. I will not see you if you raise your hand. What is your point of order, Hon. Member?

These are express orders from above for which the Jubilee side is aware. They are merely wasting time. It is not vetting but rubber-stamping. This House must not be taken round over matters which really have no meaning. Jubilee could proceed and pass these names in a minute. They do not need to bring a Motion here to waste our time. We do not need 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 circus in this House. Let Jubilee go to their corridors and approve these names. This is not vetting. If you saw what happened…

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker.

What is your point of order Hon. Member?

Order Members. What is your point of order Hon. Murwithania.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Member has said that they have nothing to do with the approval of the names as presented in the list. Up to that point, it is my understanding that you should tell him to sit down because he has seized this opportunity to issue a statement yet that is not what we are debating. It is not in order to allow the Member to continue insulting others saying that this is not serious business and calling it a circus. We are not in the business of a circus and corridors in this Parliament.

First, I ask my good friend to withdraw the words “circus” and “corridors”. That is not why we are here. He is actually out of order.

Order, Hon. Murwithania! You cannot declare him out of order; it is the role of the Speaker to do that.

The Motion is very clear. Shall we restrict ourselves to the boundaries of this Motion so that we have two other Members contributing?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I had not finished.

Please, finish.

My point is that the Jubilee side does not need time for this kind of Motion to be passed. What they need to do is go to their Parliamentary Group meeting and approve the names of these State officers then they get appointed by their president. That is my point. We do not need an extension of time because it is a waste of parliamentary business time to extend this exercise for another two weeks. In my view it is not necessary.

Thank you.

I had said I would give chance to two Members to contribute. Hon. Lomenen.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. First and foremost, I stand to support this Motion of extension of the period for consideration of nominees. Just as the Mover has said, it is constitutional. It does not mention Jubilee or NASA. We are here as Members of Parliament to carry out our constitutional mandate. The Motion talks about the provisions of Section 13 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act relating to extension of time. There is nothing here that mentions Jubilee. We need to reduce tensions. Yesterday, we listened very keenly to Members from the NASA Coalition. They were concerned and we, on this side, supported their concerns. It was very clear that they needed the support of the Government. They needed security. For them to have security, we need to approve these Principal Secretaries. These are the people who will ensure that they have security. Moreover, we are not forcing anyone to come to Parliament. I have been elected by the people of Turkana South to come here and represent them, just the way they have been elected to come 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.

here. Whatever we are doing in this House is constitutional. It does not require mercy from anyone. If I want to come to support the appointment of anyone, it is my own choice. We are here to ensure that Parliament functions. Parliament cannot function without us. We need each other more than ever before. Just the way NASA needs us, we also need them.Why is it that when it concerns things that benefit NASA, they need our assistance, and when it is about issues that do not benefit them, they walk out? When we were passing a Motion, they walked out. Will you keep on walking out every time? Is that the business we have been sent to do here? When we come here as Members of Parliament, we respect each other. We do not want to bother about the business that happens outside this House. Whether you make noise or blow whistles, it is nothing to us. When we come here, we respect our colleagues; we want to do anything that is constitutional. We have to respect each other in this House. It is not the issue of Jubilee or NASA - it is Members of Parliament. Anything we are doing here is constitutional. I support this Motion of extension of period for deliberation of the nominees. We want to vet these Principal Secretaries (PSs) because they are coming to serve. We have to vet them. We want to have enough time to ensure that these are the right officers who will serve Kenyans. We do not want to rush. We do not want to make it an issue of Jubilee or NASA. These are people who are serving Kenyans; they are not coming to serve us alone. So, we want to take time as Members of Parliament to ensure that these people are the right officers who will serve Kenyans - people who brought us to this Parliament.

Hon. Members, just to remind you, if you raise your hand and say “point of order” and you have not done an intervention, you will not get a chance. It is also important to check. Let us not anticipate debate on the report. This is just a Motion; it is not the report. Hon. Obo Mohamed.

Asante sana,Naibu Spika wa Muda. Mimi pia ninaunga mkono kuongezwa kwa muda kwa sababu tunawahitaji sana hawa Mawaziri. Kuna kazi nyingi ambazo tunatarajia watazifanya na kuzikamilisha, baada ya kuapishwa. Watu wamezungumzia siku ya kupendana, kwa umaarafu Valentine’s Day .

Hata mimi nakupenda.

Tuheshimiane. Mimi niko na bwana. Sikuja hapa kutafuta wanaume.

. Sikuja hapa kupendwa. Unaniambia umependa nini? Tuheshimiane. Nimetumwa hapa na kaunti ya Lamu. Namhurumia sana mama na watoto wa marubani wawili walioshikwa South Sudan. Hii siku ya leo watu wanafurahia Valentine’s Day ilhali wao wanahuzunika. Ningependa muda uongezwe. Waziri wa masuala za nje na wengine wafuatilie. Waharakishe ili wale marubani wawili walioshikwa kule na waasi baada ya ndege yao kuanguka waachiliwe huru. Marubani wamezuiliwa kwa zaidi ya mwezi mmoja sasa. Nahurumia sana bibi yake na watoto, ambao hawana habari ni lini wataachiliwa. Ningependa pia kuwaeleza Mawaziri waharakishe kwa sababu watu wakisherehekea mambo mengine, nimesikia mwenzangu akisema watu huko Lamu wana huzuni. Wakazi katika miji ya Kizingitini, Bajumali, Chundwa na miji mingine wameambiwa kwamba nyumba zao zitavunjwa lakini hawakupewa ilani. Hawana raha. Hvi saa, sisi wakazi wa Lamu Mashariki tunataka hawa Mawaziri waangalie tatizo hilo. Tunataka maendeleo. Barabara yataka kujengwa lakini hiyo 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.

barabara ilifuata nyumba. Hakukuwa na ramani ya barabara. Kwa hivyo haki za wale watakaoathirika zifuatiliwe. Asanteni.

Member for Uriri, Hon. Nyamita.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I want to contribute to this Motion. We are aware that it is a Procedural Motion, like my colleague has said. It is in compliance with the Constitution, and Members have to vet these nominees through the relevant committees. It is also abundantly clear that the vetting exercise is a continuation of the coronation exercise that we have been seeing. We will not be surprised, without anticipating debate on the report that was tabled yesterday. We do not know the content of the Report, but it is already in the newspapers that the nominees for appointment to the Cabinet were all passed. I just wanted to urge my colleagues that this honourable House might lose meaning. We know very well that we are not participating in the coronation exercise. You will remember that we have seen people who have not gone to school - class seven dropouts - being gladly clapped for just because of political expediency. Hon. Member Sankok, the very nominated Member, please, you will have your time. In as much as they will extend this period, we are asking why they want to take extra time when they are not going to add any value to the exercise? Why take time when they are going to be called and told “this is the list that is going to be passed?” Why do we want to extend? Why do they not just bring the names, pass them and we go on? They should do that instead of coming here and telling us they want to vet when we clearly know there is no vetting. There is no single person on the Jubilee side with balls enough to even stand and tell the President: “Some of the appointments you have made do not fit the bill”. When they all go there, they only sit, listen, come here on a chorus and everything goes on.

So, my point is that I do not think there is need to extend the time.

What is it Hon. Ngunjiri?

Asante sana Mhe. Naibu Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa nafasi hiyo. Ningetaka kwanza kusimama kuunga mkono kuwekwa mikakati katika Bunge.

He is on a point of order. He cannot purport to be supporting.

Wewe kaa chini. Sit down. You cannot come here and say…

No!

Order Members. Hon. Ngunjiri, you stood on a point of order.

Order Members. Please…

I had not finished.

Put the Question!

Order Members. Is that the mood of the House? 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.

Yes!

Let him finish and then I will put the Question.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. First, I find the language of my colleague talking about funerals in this House foul. But, I am glad he switched to the language he understands best. We can know why he could not proceed in Queen’s Language; it is an indication...

Without losing the point…

Order Members. Order Member. Assume your seat please. Hon. Member, can you assume your seat please? This Motion is very clear. If you remember, the Speaker was very clear yesterday that this is the first week; we will not and, it cannot be allowed for us to have circus around the House. It is a House of order. We must restrict ourselves to the debate of the House, both sides; we must restrict around the debate and the boundaries of the Motion. I get the sense that the mood is that I put the Question on this matter.

Yes!

Next Order. As we were reading the items when the House was starting, I was informed that there was a Notice of Motion that was to be given by the Chairlady of the Committee on Delegated Legislation. I will use my discretion to allow but, I want to very clearly say that this may not be allowed. When a Notice of Motion is called, it should be given at that point. I will use my discretion to give this chance to the Chairlady of the Committee on Delegated Legislation, Hon. Shollei, to give that Notice of Motion.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, first, I must thank you for giving me the opportunity to move this Motion. I realise that the Order Paper I received from the Table Office at 7.30 this morning indicated that the Motion was going to be at 2.30 p.m. I will not take it seriously in future when it says “2.30 p.m.”

Hon. Gladys Shollei, you are giving the Notice of Motion.

Yes. I am giving the Notice of Motion. I need to give the Notice: 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.

THAT, in furtherance to the provisions of Standing Order 210(3) relating to the mandate of the Committee on Delegated Legislation, and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013 relating to the period of consideration of Statutory Instruments by the Committee, this House resolves to extend the period for consideration of the following twenty nine (29) Statutory Instruments submitted to the House between the September 25, 2017 and December 13, 2017 when the Committee on Delegated Legislation had not been constituted by a further period of ninety (90) days from 14th February, 2018: 1) Competition Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2017; 2) The Kenya Defence Forces (Commissioning of Officers) Regulations, 2017; 3) The Kenya Defence Forces (Active Service Punishment) Regulations, 2017; 4) The Kenya Defence Forces (Internal Grievance Mechanism) Regulations,2017; 5) The Kenya Defence Forces (Retired Officers and Service Members) Regulations, 2017; 6) The Kenya Defence Forces (Constabulary) Regulations, 2017; 7) The Kenya Defence Forces (Missing Persons) Regulations, 2017; 8) The Kenya Defence Forces (Board of Inquiry) Regulations, 2017; 9) The Kenya Defence Forces (General) Regulations, 2017; 10) The Kenya Defence Forces (Execution of Sentence of Death) Regulations, 2017; 11) Kenya Defence Forces (Imprisonment) Regulations, 2017; 12) Kenya Defence Forces (Pensions and Gratuities) Regulations, 2017; 13) Kenya Defence Forces (Rules of Procedure) Regulations, 2017; 14) National Land Commission (Investigation of Historical Injustices) Regulations, 2017; 15) Capital Markets Authority (Online Foreign Exchange) Regulations, 2017; 16) The Civil Aviation (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2017; 17) The Land (Extension and Renewal of Leases) Rules, 2017; 18) The Land (Conversion of Land) Rules, 2017; 19) The Land (Assessment of Just Compensation) Rules, 2017; 20) The Land (Allocation of Public Land) Regulation, 2017; 21) The Land Registration (General) Regulations, 2017; 22) The Land Registration (Registration Units) Order, 2017; 23) The Land Regulations, 2017; 24) The Community Land Regulations, 2017; 25) The Wildlife Conservation Management (Implementation of Treaties) Regulations, 2017; 26) The Wildlife Conservation Management (Protection of Endangered and Threatened Ecosystems, Habitats and Species) Regulations, 2017; 27) The Wildlife Conservation Management (Joint Management and Protection of Water Towers) Regulations, 2017; 28) Wildlife Conservation Management (Compensation) Regulations, 2017; and 29) Wildlife Conservation Management (Government Trophies) Regulations, 2017. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker.

Very well. Before we get to the next Order, I wish to acknowledge the presence of students from Ngaru Girls Secondary School in Kirinyaga Constituency, Kirinyaga County who are seated in the public gallery. 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 see the Member of that constituency is quite excited.

Next Order!

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I beg to move:

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.28, this House approves the Calendar of the House (Regular Sessions) for the Second Session of the Assembly, as contained in the Schedule.

Member for Mwea.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. Thank you, our able Chief Whip for preparing and moving this Motion. Before I continue to second this Motion, I would like to welcome our children from Ngaru Girls, from the mighty county of Kirinyaga and also to extend a happy Valentine and Ash Wednesday to the great people of Mwea who feed this country with the best rice in Africa.

By having a calendar in place, we will be prepared for the House business. When some of us left the jobs that we were doing and decided to join the House, it is because we had an agenda for pushing the development in our respective constituencies.

We are continuously getting worried by the content of the debate of the House, especially from our brothers. We are getting confused as new Members when we see our brothers rising up just to be seen on the screen, contribute and immediately leave this House. This is confusing to some of us new Members. I wonder whether all of us understand and know why we are in the House. I have travelled in this country, I have had a chance of working in almost all the 47 counties in this country, and I know how needy some of the constituencies represented here are. When I see Members concentrating on issues that do not relate to their constituents; when I see Members who are not worried about the hunger, lack of water and the poverty levels out there and they are concentrating on what I would call a contest on the screen—to come here to please their masters, to show how they are supporting them, to show them how they are not supporting the government of the day—I get very worried. As I do so, let me say I came from a serious environment; an environment where probably I could be earning more than what I earn here. But because of the needy people of Mwea, I took up this challenge. I am here to present issues of roads, lack of water, lack of good schools; I am here to look at our many youth, more than 110,000 in Mwea who are not employed today. When I come here and see people concentrating on swearing in and other things, I get worried and confused. I think in the future we need to look at how this business would return to the business which some of us used to observe. We came here knowing that we shall find models. These models are now no longer models; they are people who pop in, talk, are seen on TV, declare themselves this and that and then they leave. This is very worrying. I want to commend the leadership of the House for having come up with this calendar, a calendar that allows me to balance out between the duties that have been given to me by the people of Mwea, my family affairs as well as coming to this House to contribute to very important national issues. As we speak, a majority of Kenyans are undergoing very serious drought problems. They are going through many problems: lack of water and other things. And this is the House expected to come up with rules and laws that will enable these people to live a better life. I want to extend some advice to my brothers who keep popping in and out that Kenyans look upon this House to debate and come up with serious policies that would help them to get a better life out there. We should not in any way bring issues that would divide us in this House. We were so peaceful in the morning, before one Member decided to rise and give his own personal opinion, which I believe the majority of the Opposition does not stand for, and then 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.

immediately left. We should not even allow some of these people to talk, because they talk, confuse us then they leave us and hope that they have already gained mileage out there. I will be elected on the premise of what I would do for the people of Mwea. Some people will be elected on the basis of how much noise they make in this House and how much they appear on television. I am different. We must strike a balance between people who want to confuse me and people who want to pursue agenda that will help my people of Mwea to live a better life. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, with those few remarks, I wish to second and support this calendar. Thank you.

Put the question.

Is that the mood of the House?

Hon. Members, that being the last Order, and the time being 11.25 a.m., this House stands adjourned till this afternoon at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 11.25 a.m.

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