Home » Media Centre » Blogs » Week in Parliament: Aug 27-Aug 31
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.
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