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Orange Democratic Party (ODM)
Sophia Abdi Noor (Mrs.)
Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo (Mrs.)
Racheal Wambui Shabesh (Mrs.)
Musa Cherutich Sirma
Muhamad Dory Mohamad yakub
Joseph Nyagah
Party of National Unity
Maison Leshomo (Ms.)
Musikari Kombo Nazi
George Omari Nyamweya
Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K)
Shakila Abdalla (Ms.)
Mohamed Abdi Affey
Kenya African National Union (KANU)
Amina Abdalla (Ms.)
BY MZALENDO REPORTER
President Kibaki on Thursday March 6, 2008 opened the second session of the tenth Parliament and set a crowded though ambitious agenda for Parliament in the next 5 years. This includes over 20 Bills and a raft of Sessional Papers. Four of the Bills, according to the President, must be accorded top priority by the Coalition government and the whole House in general.
The top priority Bills are:
1) the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill
2) the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill
3) the Establishment of Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission Bill
4) the Establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission of Kenya Bill.
The National Accord and Reconciliation Bill, perhaps the most urgent, is aimed at putting into legislation the power sharing deal signed by President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga after one month’s mediation talks chaired by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan. The Bill seeks to create the position of Prime Minister, and two deputy prime ministers. It also seeks to transfer the roles of the head of government from the President to the Prime Minister leaving the president as the head of State. It will also provide clear roles of the new posts as well as criteria of appointing and dismissing the prime minister and the deputies.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill is aimed at giving Kenyans a new constitution, which has been elusive for over 15 years. PNU and ODM agreed that there will be five stages in the review of the Constitution, in and outside Parliament, culminating to a referendum.
The Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission Bill seeks to create a special commission mandated to inquire into human rights violations, including those committed by the state, groups, or individuals. This includes but is not limited to politically motivated violence, assassinations, community displacements, settlements, and evictions. The Commission will also inquire into major economic crimes, in particular grand corruption, historical land injustices, and the illegal or irregular acquisition of land, especially as these relate to conflict or violence. Other historical injustices shall also be investigated. The Commission will inquire into such events which took place between December 12, 1963 and February 28, 2008.
The Ethnic Relations Commission of Kenya Bill on the other hand seeks to establish another commission with the mandate of probing how various communities have related to each others and causes of conflicts amongst them.
According to President Kibaki, the government is focused on improving market performance of several key commodities. The government has proposed amending the Coffee Act 2001 to provide for direct sales of coffee and to amend the Sugar Act 2001 to restructure the sugar industry. It also plans to introduce bills and Sessional papers covering the dairy, poultry and fishing industries, among others. To boost the tourism industry, the government will be tabling three bills; the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Guidelines, the Tourism Bill and the Wildlife Bill.
The government also plans to table a Sessional Paper on Cooperative Development Policy and a bill on Savings and Credit Cooperatives. These are aimed at giving an impetus to the role played by cooperatives in the production and marketing of produce as well as mobilizing savings and providing credit to the majority of Kenyans. The government will also introduce legislation that will regulate the role of non-public entities such as civil society and international education providers as well as propose the establishment of a Technical Industrial Vocation and Entrepreneurial Training Authority. This is inline with implementation of the free primary and free secondary education programmes, which according to the President, require legislation to entrench the reforms in the entire education sector within the country’s laws.
Entrenching a culture of science, technology and innovation in the society and boosting the country’s dream of Vision 2030 is also in focus. In this relation, the government will introduce a National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation. It has also proposed a bill to upgrade the National Council of Science and Technology to the National Commission of Science and Technology. On the way as well is a bill that will lead to the creation of the National Science Foundation and National Innovation Agency. To deal with poverty and inequitable development, the government plans to table a Sessional Paper on Cooperative Development Policy and a bill on Savings and Credit Cooperatives.
In the health sector, the Government has proposed to review the Public Health Act so as to consolidate 23 different Public health laws into a single Act of Parliament. It plans to table policy papers on Health Care Financing, Health Services Commission and Decentralised Funding of Health Facilities. With regard to the youth, the government has proposed amendments to the Armed Forces Act to enable youth trained under the National Youth Service be absorbed in the armed forces. It will also table a bill to provide for the creation of a National Youth Council. Further, the Government will re-table the Sessional Paper on Employment Policy for discussion in the House on the urgent and critical matter of providing enough jobs for young people. With regard to the protection of the family and children, the government has proposed amendments to the Children’s Act 2001 for better implementation. The government also plans to introduce the Information Communication Technology Bill as a regulatory framework for broadcasting, electronic transactions and cyber crime.
In the water sector, the government will table the National Water Harvesting and Storage Policy to facilitate harnessing and storage of recurrent floodwaters as well as the National Shared Water Resources Policy to promote equitable development of water resources nationally. Government plans also to introduce a policy on the registration of contractors as well as the creation of a national construction company to build capacity among local contractors. It will also introduce legislation touching on the Protection of Road Reserves, Registration of Engineers and Architects as well as Quantity Surveyors.
With regard to local authorities, the government plans to bring to the House new amendments to the Local Government Act to enable the direct election of mayors and county council chairmen.
According to President Kibaki, this particular reform is long overdue and this Parliament should deliberate on it as a matter of priority. To ensure proper planning and development of urban areas as well as the proper enforcement of laws and by-laws for regulation of urban development, the government plans to table proposals to set up a National Urban and Metropolitan Areas Authority.
To promote the development of affordable housing the government will present the Housing Bill and a Landlord and Tenant Bill. The government also plans to table the Organised Crimes Bill to contain the emergence of organized gangs and militias which bode ill for our society. It also plans to table the Anti-money Laundering Bill as well as introduce amendments to the Chief’s Act and Firearms Act.
Preamble:
There is a crisis in this country. The Parties have come together in recognition of this crisis, and agree that a political solution is required. Given the disputed elections and the divisions in the Parliament and the country, neither side is able to govern without the other. There needs to be real power sharing to move the country forward.
A coalition must be a partnership with commitment on both sides to govern together and push through a reform agenda for the benefit of all Kenyans.
Description of the Act:
An Act of Parliament to provide for the settlement of the disputes arising from the presidential elections of 2007, formation of a Coalition Government and Establishment of the Offices of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of the Government of Kenya, their functions and various matters connected with and incidental to the foregoing.
1. This Act may be cited as the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008.
2. This Act shall come into force upon its publication in the Kenya Gazette which shall not be later than 14 days from the date of Assent.
3. (l) There shall be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya and two Deputy Prime Ministers who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with this section.
(2) The person to be appointed as Prime Minister shall be an elected member of the National Assembly who is the parliamentary leader of –
(a) the political party that has the largest number of members in the National Assembly; or
(b) a coalition of political parties in the event that the leader of the political party that has the largest number of members of the National Assembly does not command the majority in the National Assembly.
(3) Each member of the coalition shall nominate one person from the elected members of the National Assembly to be appointed a Deputy Prime Minister.
4.(1) The Prime Minister:
a) shall have authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya including those of Ministries;
b) may assign any of the coordination responsibilities of his office to the Deputy Prime Ministers, as well as one of them to deputise for him;
c) shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President or under any written law.
(2) In the formation of the coalition government, the persons to be appointed as Ministers and Assistant Ministers from the political parties that are partners in the coalition other than the President’s party, shall be nominated by the parliamentary leader of the party in the coalition. Thereafter there shall be full consultation with the president on the appointment of all Ministers. (3) The composition of the coalition government shall at all times reflect the relative parliamentary strengths of the respective parties and shall at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance.
(4) The office of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister shall become vacant only if -
(a) the holder of the office, resigns or ceases to be a member of the National Assemb1y otherwise than by reason of the dissolution of Parliament; or
(b) the National Assembly passes a resolution Which is supported by a majority of all the members of the National Assembly excluding the ex-officio members and of which not less than seven days notice has been given declaring that the National Assemb1y has no confidence in the Prime Minister Or Deputy Prime Minister, as the case may he; or
(c) the coalition is dissolved.
(5) The removal of any Minister nominated by a parliamentary party of the coalition shall he made only after prior consultation and concurrence in writing with the leader of that party. 5. The Cabinet shall consist of the President, the Vice- President, the Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the other Ministers.
6. The coalition shall stand dissolved if:
(a) the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or
(b) the coalition parties agree in writing; or
(c) one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition by a resolution of the highest decision-making organ of that party in writing.
7. The prime minister and deputy prime ministers shall be entitled to such salaries, allowances, benefits, privileges and emoluments as may he approved by Parliament from time to time.
8. This Act shall cease to apply upon dissolution of the tenth Parliament, if the coalition is dissolved, or a new constitution is enacted, Whichever is earlier.
By Mzalendo REPORTER
January 15, 2008, which was the first day of the first session of the 10th Parliament. ODM’s candidate Mr. Kenneth Otiato Marende, 52, was pronounced Speaker in a theatric session that lasted for more than seven hours. ODM’s Mr. Farah Maalim also won the Deputy Speaker’s seat handing the opposition double victory against the government’s side controlled by President Mwai Kibaki.
Former speaker Mr. Francis ole Kaparo was backed by President Kibaki and his Party of National Unity MPs and their colleagues in affiliate parties. Marende, however, beat Kaparo garnering 105 votes against Mr. Kaparo’s 101, during the three rounds race.
In the first round Marende won after garnering 103 votes, Kaparo 99 votes while former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile had 2. The only female candidate Njoki Ndungu had 0 votes, just like former Nyeri MP Wanyiri Kihoro. In the second round, Marende managed to get 104 votes to Kaparo’s 102. Wanyiri Kihoro this time round managed a single vote. Voting then moved to the third stage which requires a simple majority win.
For a candidate to win in the first round of voting, he or she must garner two-thirds majority or 148 MPs of the entire composition of Parliament. But if no candidate qualifies at this stage, the process enters the second round but here only two candidates are voted for. These are two candidates who would have garnered most of the votes during round one. For one to be declared winner in round two, he or she must garner two-thirds majority or 148 MPs of the entire composition of Parliament-just like in round one.
If no candidate qualifies at this stage, the process enters the third round and the candidate who gets a simple majority is declared the Speaker of National Assembly.
The whole session, which started at 2.30 pm and lasted till past midnight was characterised by angry exchanges between members of the opposition and those from the government‘s side. As the session was about to start, the Opposition side wildly cheered and rose in honour of its leader Raila Odinga as he entered the chambers accompanied by Pentagon member, Mr. Najib Balala. Raila has insisted he won the December 27 general election. Opposition MPs had originally planned to sit on government benches but they did not live to their threat. Raila took the seat reserved for the leader of the opposition.
His followers, some sporting orange handkerchiefs in their breast pockets, declined to stand up as President Kibaki entered the chamber – sending a clear message to him that they do not regard his election as valid. Only the Government side rose for Kibaki, as he walked towards the seat reserved for the Head of State-a couple of steps from where Raila was occupying the official opposition seat.
The election of Speaker was first thrown into disarray after ODM objected to the secret ballot system saying it provided the government’s side with an opportunity to rig.
Ugenya MP, Mr. James Orengo fired the first salvo and challenged the Clerk of National Assembly Samuel Ndindiri that the Standing Orders do not restrict members to voting by secret ballot as he had prescribed. But the government’s side remained firm arguing that secret ballot was the legal way of electing a speaker and that it has been the practice is all Parliaments across the word under Commonwealth.Mr. Ndindiri, who was conducting the whole process, had a rough time in controlling the MPs. President Kibaki on his part watched in disbelief. Those who also took the floor from the ODM side objecting to the secret ballot method included Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Prof Anyang Nyongo (Kisumu Rural) and William Ole Ntimama (Narok North). “We went through (national) elections with a secret ballot, and you stole the vote,” Ruto said insisting that the vote for the Speaker could be rigged too in a secret ballot.
Attorney General Amos Wako, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Justice and constitutional affairs minister Martha Karua and Mbooni MP Mutula Kilonzo on the other side defended the secret ballot system calling on the clerk not to allow being “coaxed” by the opposition. “We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we’ve got to learn to live with each other,” Karua said as she pushed for secret ballot. “The Speaker has to be fair. Standing Orders mention no secret ballot but it has been a tradition that the House has always followed,” said Mr. Wako.
Mukurweini MP Mr. Kabando wa Kabando (Safina) caused a stir when he claimed that some ODM MPs had been threatened by Mr. Ruto that violence would be unleashed against them if they supported the government’s side. He claimed that ODM was rejecting the secret ballot system so that it can monitor who amongst its members side with the government. The secret ballot however carried the day leading to Marende’s election as Speaker and Maalim as the deputy.
Even after voting and electing speaker and his deputy, there was yet another hurdle for the House. ODM wanted the Speaker to rule in their favour that they should not take an oath swearing their allegiance to the President. The speaker however ruled that as per Standing Orders, an MP has to swear allegiance to the President. Some ODM MPs including Ababu Namwamba (ODM-Budalangi) however still objected. Raila and Nyongo are among the ODM MPs who declined to swear allegiance to the President instead swearing to the Republic of Kenya.
By Mzalendo Blogger
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
The house switched into committee mode. MP Gor Sungu took the Speaker’s chair as the chairman of the committee, (not the speaker) and the committee members who debated an Employment Bill.
Minister Newton Kulundu would stand up and struggle to read that “I propose that clause as amended be approved” and the Chair would then ask MP’s to vote – “those in favor say aye, those who opposed say nay.” And this tedious process had to be repeated for all 80 clauses
in the bill, which took over an hour. It appeared boring, but as we have been told, committees are where debate and legislation is done.
Njoki Ndungu proposed 3 amendments to the Bill :
(i) to increase maternity leave of a new mother from two to three months
(ii) to grant new fathers 2 weeks paternity leave to tend to their new children and
(iii) to delete a clause in the current law that requires private employers who pay maternity costs for staff to be reimbursed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
MP’s Ruth Oniango, Wangari Maathai and Charity Ngilu spoke in support of the maternity extension motions and the bills were passed by the
committee.
After 6:00 PM, the Vice President stood to pass a motion to adjourn the house for the day, and allow the committee to continue their debate thereafter. The house was in committee mode and the language used was slightly different. The VP, Labour Minister and even Njoki has several
time be instructed by the Chairman who himself was probably reading on the proper language to use on things like “make report” “I propose that the bill as amended be adopted” and even had to remind people that he was “Mr. Chairman” not “Mr. Speaker”.
So the Mace was put back on the table and the committee became parliament gain for a minute as the VP adjourned the house for the day. Gor Sunguh was back in his seat as MP, as he addressed the temporary Speaker with a report that the committee would continue
after adjournment. Then the Mace was removed and the committee resumed
its debate on the employment bill, with Sunguh back in the Chair.
After the 80 clauses were passed, MP Njoki Ndungu brought forward another amendment this time to grant a mother who adopts a child the same rights a mother of a newborn baby.
This amendment however did not sail as smoothly as the earlier ones.
It was opposed by Minister Kulundu several times, even once saying that a lady could
give birth and adopt a child every other year and always be on leave to which Njoki replied that was a male viewpoint unlikely to happen in real life. VP Moody Awori challenged the definition of an adopted child saying it did not make sense when a school age child was adopted to award
maternity leave to the mother. MP Justin Muturi asked for a definition of duties of a parent to an adopted child. MP Omingo Magara challenged the wording of the bill that gave mothers, and not fathers, rights to which Njoki replied that it was the current laws that did not recognize father rights to adopt
The amendment was awkwardly worded and Njoki kept amending the amendment – changing “child” to “infant”, deleting “duties”, but even her allies like Ruth Oniango could not fix it. At one time it appears the amendment had passed, but MP Magara said that the ‘final’
amendment had not been read out, and when it was, the amendment was
voted down by MP’s. It was later confirmed that the amendment did pass.
MP Julia Ojiambo stood to add another amendment called ‘gender action’ should proceeded to read out a 5 minute summary of what the Bill hoped to do which was in essence to require that the government balance out
by giving women 30% of employment in public sector. This also led to a lot of debate
Minister Martha Karua stood to support the motion saying it would out into the laws what it no the government position that 30% of public service jobs be set aside for women.
Chairman Sunguh asked that MP’s carefully analyze the amendment since the definition in the amendment was any organization that received public funds, including the parliament – and if that was workable or they would end up in industrial court forever.
Minister Kulundu said that the matter should be addressed to the Minister for Public Service who was present. Minister for Public Service Akaranga added that such an amendment should be directed to the public service reform bill being drawn up by
his ministry to be presented later (even in the next parliament). MP Justin Muturi argued that this would be regulated by a board which was not even in existence and seriously would offer tax breaks to private companies for complying with the 30% law.
Debate was still going on up to 7:00 PM, but the amendment appeared doomed
By Mzalendo Blogger
5 PM to 5:30 PM
Tail end of the financial bill debate
About 50 MP’s are standing around in the chamber having conversations with each other. Government side seems to have a slight advantage in numbers - 30 to the opposition’s 20. Very loud conversations going on except that of government ministers. After about ten minutes of this, the Speaker shouts out “Where are the Tellers?” and the house gets back into character as MP’s take their seats again.
Three MP’s Kuria Kanyingi, Gor Sunguh and Njoki Ndungu begin a ceremonial march around and into the chambers, then come and bow before the speaker. They announce the results of a vote as being 25 for aye’s and 25 for the nay’s then bow and take their seats.
The speaker (not Kaparo) announces the result again, and adds that house rules give the house speaker a chance to break such a vote and he casts his vote with the aye’s resulting in the opposition side thumping their feet in celebrations. Finance minister Amos Kimunya stands up and challenges the speaker’s vote – asking if he had voted initially and if it was in order for him to vote again? The speaker replies that the rules were clear and that he was in order to break the vote. A few minutes later, he read out the relevant clause for Minister to show that he was within his right to vote (since he was not the House Speaker).
Debate on the financial bill continued.
MP Oburu Odinga got up and proposed an amendment in the bill so that a 20% increase in the cost of used spare parts be deleted, saying that many Kenyans depended on these affordable parts for their cars. Minister Kimunya stood up and said that his intention when he inserted that tax in the budget was to cut down on the dumping of those spare parts - but he has listened to the wishes of the people and he concurred that the tax should be deleted from the bill. Oburu then asked for further tax increase he mentioned on VAT for real estate be deleted from the bill, but Kimunya clarified that the clauses had already been amended by the house and were redundant.
Kimunya then asked that dates of two matters in the budget be amended as part of the bill. First that a tax on plastics to begin on October 1 and another that a tax on liquors to start effective today (October 16) – both of which were passed.
The Finance Bill, which is considered crucial before the house is dissolved for elections, was then passed and MP’s then stood to give comments on the Bill. MP Wangari Maathai stood and commended MP’s for their passage of the bill and especially for the tax on plastic bags since they (bags) were an environmental menace.
MP Otieno Kajwang then stood and asked that when taxes are proposed in the budget/financial bill, they be formulated to promote local entrepreneurs, not multi-nationals.
MP Jakoyo Midiwo added that he agreed with Kajwang’s comments –and wanted the Finance minister to consult more with the finance committee of parliament before coming up with tax proposals. However, as he went on to describe the Finance Minister of being, arrogant and evasive, the speaker cut him off and asked him to restrain his comments – so he finished by saying that he wants the record to show that multi-nationals have continued to intimidate members of the finance committee before ‘going behind their backs to cut deals with the Finance Minister’.
MP Kiema Kilonzo stood and added that Kenya needs a paradigm shift in (i) how bills are formulated to benefit local entrepreneurs and not multinationals and (2) how the finance minister handles his public relations
Finance Minister Kimunya had the final word and stood to thank MP’s for passage o the bill. He described is a difficult process, adding that he had lost weight, to which some opposition MP’s yelled “Farewell!”
He commended the MP’s saying it was their dedication and work that enabled Kenyans to win the international award for 2nd most improved country in Africa and 8th overall in the world
By Francis Mureithi (for Mzalendo)
It was a celebratory week for Members of Parliament after they voted to have each of them take home KShs 1.5 million at the end of the life of the current Parliament. Legislators, on Thursday September 6, 2007 sealed the deal in a flash as the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill went through the third reading. According to the amendment on the National Assembly Remuneration Act, each MP will now be entitled to KShs 300,000 as allowanced for every year served. This would be backdated to January 9, 2003 when members Ninth Parliament were sworn into the House.
How did the members vote? The House had over 60 MPs and no one opposed when the question was put before the House. Again, they did not debate on this particular amendment but just accepted it once the question was put. On voting, it was purely acclamation “Ayes” so it was difficult to pinpoint how a particular MP voted.
Initially, the amount was KShs 6.5 million. This was however scaled down following intense opposition by civil society groups. A resounding chorus of “Ayes” from both Opposition and Government rent the air when the question on the gratuity was put.
Additionally, Parliament passed an amendment that will see the number of judges at the High Court and Court of Appeal increased from 50 to 70 and 11 to 14 respectively. But Parliament adjourned before members could deliberate on proposed amendments in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and other essential matters. Temporary Speaker Kiruki M’Mukindia said the committee will proceed with its sitting next Tuesday to deliberate on pending issues. The National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act was also amended to allow petitions to be served through publication. The publication can be carried in a daily newspaper and drafted in English and Kiswahili.
Siakago MP Justin Muturi successfully moved an amendment on the same Act to gag arbitrary appointment of MPs from the opposition to the Cabinet. Those appointed, according to Muturi’s amendment, shall now be allowed to join the Cabinet with the mandate of the sponsoring party.
During the week also, Justice and constitutional affairs minister Martha Karua defended her ministry over claims by MPs that it was dillydallying to publish a Bill on minimum constitutional reforms. The minister told Parliament that the report by the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group which recommended the publication of the Constitutional Amendment Bill is not officially with her ministry. MPs sought to know what progress the government has made towards publishing the Bill as resolved by the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group on June 19 this year.
But the lack of quorum syndrome persisted. On Tuesday September 4, 2007, Parliament adjourned at 5.40 pm instead of the usual 6.30 pm due to lack of quorum. Present in the chamber were 20 MPs – 12 on the Government side and eight for opposition.
By Francis Mureithi
During the week, election fever continued to paralyze Parliament sessions with questions being dropped for lack of MPs to float them and ministers to respond. For instance on Wednesday August 29, 2007, during the morning session, no question listed in the Order Paper was tackled as either the questioners were absent or ministers.
Deputy House Speaker David Musila said he lacked words to express his disappointment over the members’ performance while Vice President Moody Awori, who is also the leader of government business, said also lacked words to express his displeasure.
This is barely two weeks after members shot down an adjournment motion moved by Vice President Moody Awori arguing that there was too much before the House and it could not afford to go on recess.
MPs, however, passed a motion that allows for introduction of a Bill aimed at compelling the State to establish a special fund to cater for the orphans in the country. The motion passed paves the way for the introduction of the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children’s Fund Bill to provide for education and psychosocial support, shelter, food and clothing for the affected children.
This will ensure their potential of becoming resourceful and responsible citizens is tapped. The motion was moved by Christine Mango (Narc, Butula) and was supported by both government and opposition MPs.
It is also the week that saw the return of the controversial Media Bill after President Kibaki refused to assent it into law returning it to the House for deletion of an offensive clause. The MPs supported the view that the clause was indeed offensive but they complained, for 45 minutes, about how the media has transgressed against them. The controversial clause stated: “When a story includes unnamed parties who are not disclosed and the same becomes the subject of a legal tussle as to who is meant, then the editor shall be obligated to disclose the identity of the parties referred to.”
In the same week, Parliament, with only 19 members, allowed the ministry of Foreign Affairs to spend Shs 7.9 billion for the 2007/8 financial year. The House rules demand the presence of at least 30 of the 222 members, excluding the one presiding, to constitute a quorum and transact House business.
During the week, MPs emerged disappointed after the debate on the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, 2007 was postponed due to a hitch. It is this Bill that MPs are seeking to award themselves KShs 1.5 million severance allowance at the end of the life of the current Parliament.
Unlike while dealing with other matters in the course of the week where lack of quorum dominated, a record of 81 MPs had trooped to marshal support to pass the amendment on their allowances but they trooped out as soon as they realized the debate had been put off. The debate was put off when the Committee on the Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs complained that some crucial amendments they had previously tabled in the House were missing in the Order Paper. After the shelving of the debate, MPs trooped out and the House later rose one hour before time due to quorum hitch with only nine members present.
It is this Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill that will be on the spotlight this week in Parliament. If MPs pass the amendment inserted by Attorney General Amos Wako, each of the 222 legislators will be taking home KShs 1.5 million as severance allowance at the end of the life of the current Parliament. It will translate to KShs 333 million which the taxpayer would be required to cough.
Mental Acrobatics took part in a peaceful civil society protest against the proposed MP bonus and the controversial Media Bill. Click here to read his account of the protest and see images of Kenyans saying enough is enough.