Tuesday, 2nd July 2019

Hon. Members, Standing Order 225 (2) (b) requires the Speaker to report to the House any Petition, other than those presented by a Member. I, therefore, wish to report to the House that my Office has received a Petition, submitted by Mr. Stephen Ngari Njuki on behalf of the beneficiaries of the former Mwea Settlement Scheme LR No.26461 FR No.317/30.

Hon. Members, the Petitioner claims that the Member for Mbeere South Constituency requested for a statement on the allocation of Mwea Settlement Scheme in Mbeere South Constituency, Embu County to the legitimate beneficiaries. In a reply to the Statement dated 17th September 2018, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government and Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning undertook to resume the settlement of legitimate beneficiaries within 90 days. To date, the beneficiaries of the Mwea Scheme are yet to be resettled despite the undertaking by the relevant Cabinet Secretaries.

Hon. Members, the Petitioner is concerned that matters raised in this Petition have been brought before the relevant legal and constitutional bodies but remain unresolved.

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 227, this Petition, therefore, stands committed to the Departmental Committee on Lands. The Committee is requested to consider the Petition and report its findings to the House and the Petitioner in accordance with Standing Order 227 (2) . Thank you, Hon. Members.

Let us hear the Member for Saboti, Hon. Caleb Amisi.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to present the following Petition. I, the UNDERSIGNED, on behalf of the residents of Matisi Community in Kitale, draw the attention of the House to the following:

THAT, the Petitioners are business owners and property owners of land situated along the Kitale-Endebess-Suam Road;

THAT, the road has been scheduled for construction and expansion and, as a result, owners of property within the range of 40 metres of the road are required to vacate;

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THAT, consequently, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Land Commission (NLC) recently earmarked the property for demolition; THAT, Gazette Notice No.4496 in the Kenya Gazette dated 10th May 2019 lists registered owners of the parcels of land along the road whose land is intended for compulsory acquisition by the NLC on behalf of KeNHA;

THAT, members of the Matisi Community whose land has been earmarked for demolition have not been listed in the stated Gazette Notice and yet, their land is also earmarked for acquisition;

THAT, the residents are apprehensive that they are likely to lose their property without compensation, since in the terms of the Gazette Notice, only the people listed therein are eligible for compensation;

THAT, despite assurances of compensation given to the residents by the two relevant authorities (KeNHA and NLC) during a public participation exercise on 12th June 2018, there seems to be no action on the matter;

THAT, efforts to resolve the matter by engaging the authorities by the community leaders have been futile; and,

THAT, the matter in respect of which this Petition is made is not pending before any court of law or constitutional body.

THEREFORE, your humble petitioners pray that the National Assembly, through its relevant Departmental Committee on Lands:

The Member for South Imenti, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I want to make a very brief comment on the first Petition. Since the last Parliament, the implementation of decisions made by this House through either Petitions or Questions has been very wanting. I have realised that the Petition by Mr. Ngari of Mbeere South has come again after the first Petition that was brought by the Member for Mbeere South, Hon. King’angi.

Hon. Speaker, that resident of Mbeere is again petitioning this House after the Petition was executed. Therefore, I do not know, through your wisdom, whether we can go another way of having a very special committee of the House to deal with petitions. There are too many petitions in the 12th Parliament touching on land. I do not know whether the Departmental

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Hon. Kathuri, your concerns have been raised in the past and the matter was referred to the Procedure and House Rules Committee. I am informed that a report of that Committee is on the way to the House. So, I believe, perhaps, there may be recommendations in it which might address the concerns that you have raised and which have been raised by other Members in the past. They are legitimate and valid concerns.

Next is Hon. Mutua Barasa, the Member for Kimilili.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I just want to comment briefly on the second Petition. Development is good for a country, but it must be done with the total respect to the rights of the people. It is very important that the people that are mentioned in the second Petition, whose property is going to be acquired by the Government, be properly compensated. The contrary is just impunity which should not be tolerated. People acquired those properties through hard work and savings that took them a very long time. I ask the relevant committee which you will assign to look into this Petition to expedite not only for that particular purpose, but also for other State agencies to be aware about the rights of people who have properties. For them to pave way for any development, their rights must be looked into.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support this Petition.

The Member for Endebess, you have the Floor.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika kwa kunipa fursa hii nichangie Ombi ambalo limeletwa na jirani yangu, Mhe. Caleb Amisi. Wakazi wengi wa Matisi ambao wako kando ya barabara wamejenga majumba ya biashara. Hao ni watu wenye biashara ndogo ndogo. KeNHA iliposema kuwa inataka kujenga barabara hiyo kutoka Kitale hadi Endebess mpaka kule Suam ili kutuunganisha na majirani zetu, ni vizuri waangalie malalamishi ya wakaazi. Serikali huwa na compulsory acquisition. Sio Matisi tu peke yake lakini ningependa Kamati inapoangalia, iangalie barabara hiyo kwa ujumla kwa sababu wako wakazi wa Endebess pia ambao wameathirika na ujenzi wa barabara hiyo. Barabara imepitia huko na hawako kwa orodha ambayo ilitolewa na KeNHA.

Kwa hivyo, ninaungana na mwenzangu ili tufike mbele ya Kamati hiyo na watu wetu wa Matisi mpaka Endebess ili barabara ijengwe lakini wananchi pia wapate haki yao.

Ahsante, Mhe Spika.

You have the Floor the Member for Kathiani.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make a comment on those two petitions. First, I have observed that the two petitions have something to do with land, which is extremely sensitive. Issues to do with land need to be dealt with seriously in this country, if it is land that is being acquired for roads and resettlement. If you look at some of the reports that we get in this House, you will find that those are issues that are really sensitive to our people. So, I request that the Committee moves very fast.

On the issues of petitions, I think the committees must give us responses to them that can be acted upon so that, by the time we are through with this, the people who have raised the petitions can get substantive answers that can help them move forward.

Otherwise, I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

It is your chance Member for Kwanza.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I want to comment on the Petition by my neighbour. The affected communities are on one side and we are on the other. As mentioned by the Petitioner, on 12th June last year, there was public

A certified version of this Report participation where there was assurance that people were going to be compensated. When the gazette notice came out, we found that people in the areas that my neighbour is talking about were not listed among those who were going to be compensated.

Efforts by the leaders of that community to have relevant people to assist them have been futile. Therefore, I think we should do something about it. I was also made to understand about the problem. I even went to the CS and up to now, nothing has happened. I am told the community is now agitated. They do not know what to do. I think we should move fast and assure the residents that they are going to be compensated. Otherwise, it is a very nasty situation on the ground.

I support this Petition.

Finally, let us have the Member for Mwea.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would like to comment on the first Petition. The land in subject is one that has interest from two counties, that is, Embu and Kirinyaga counties. In addition to that, this is land that has attracted many conflicts and people have died as a result. Therefore, it is my wish that this Petition is not only handled by the Departmental Committee on Lands, but also by the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security. It should look into the security matters that surround that particular land.

Any committee of the House can invite any Cabinet Secretary notwithstanding the dockets that they hold. The two petitions are referred to the Departmental

Committee on Lands to process as appropriate.

Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the House:

The Third Annual Report to the National Assembly on Treaties Ratified by Kenya from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Legal Notice No.78 relating to the Public Finance Management

Regulations, 2019 and the Explanatory Memorandum.

Legal Notice No.79 relating to the Public Finance Management (Uwezo Fund) (Revocation) Regulations, 2019 and the Explanatory Memorandum.

Legal Notice No.80 relating to the Public Finance Management

(Revocation)

Regulations, 2019 and the Explanatory Memorandum.

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Legal Notice No.81 relating to the Public Finance Management (Youth Enterprise Development Fund) (Revocation) Regulations, 2019 and the Explanatory Memorandum.

The Reports of the Auditor-General and the Financial Statements in respect of the following institutions for the year ended 30th June 2018, and the certificates therein:

Let us have the Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the House:

The Report of the Mediation Committee on its Consideration of the Land Value Index Laws (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.3 of 2018) ; and,

The Report of the Mediation Committee on its Consideration of the Irrigation Bill (National Assembly Bill No.46 of 2017) .

Very well. Next Order!

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notices of the following Motions:

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order No.150, this House adopts the Report of the Mediation

Committee on the Irrigation Bill (National Assembly Bill No.46 of 2017), laid on

Very well. Next Order!

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The first Question is by the Member for Trans Nzoia County, Hon. Janet Nangabo.

Question No.274/2019

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation:

The Question is referred to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to prioritise and invite the CS to respond.

The next Question is by the Member for Voi, Hon. Jones Mlolwa. Question No.286/2019

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

The Question is referred to the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing to arrange to invite the CS responsible to appear and respond. The next Question is by the Member for North Imenti, Hon. Abdul Rahim Dawood.

Question No.293/2019

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Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning:

Very well. The Question is referred to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to arrange when the CS will appear before it to respond.

The next Question is by the Member for Kwanza, Hon. Wanyonyi. Question No.294/2019

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education:

The Question will be responded to before the Departmental Committee on Education and Research. The Committee will arrange when the CS will appear before it. The last Question is by the Member for Lungalunga, Hon. Khatib Mwashetani.

Question 306/2019

Hon. Speaker, I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

The Question is referred to the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing. The Committee will decide when the CS will appear before them.

Hon. Baya Yaa, do you have a Statement?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I requested for a Statement under Standing Order No. 44 (2) (c ) a week ago. It was directed that the matter be responded to last Thursday, but that Statement was never made on that day. Somebody is opening another Parliament here. My party bench needs to get organised here. Hon. Speaker, you need to rein in on this bench.

Hon. Baya, you are complaining about your leader.

My leaders here are not behaving like leaders.

Hon. Baya, the Leader of the Minority Party is consulting with the Deputy Leader of the Minority Party.

They have displaced the Minority Whip. Somebody with a briefcase party here has displaced the Minority Whip from his seat.

Proceed now. Your leader is not consulting.

I requested for a Statement under Standing Order No. 44 (2) (c) , and you directed that it would be brought by the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on Thursday, last week. But it was not brought.

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, why was the Statement not issued? I do not see him. Does he have a Deputy? Who is the Vice-Chair?

Hon. Wangwe!

As you can see Hon. Baya, the Chair and the Vice-Chair are absent today. The Leader of the Majority Party should step in and rescue you. The Member for Kilifi North sought a Statement under Standing order No. 44 (2) (c) and the response was to be given on Thursday, last week. He is complaining that there was no response. The Leader of the Majority Party can take up the matter with the Chair of the Committee.

Both the Chair and the Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock are not in the House. However, I will communicate with the Member for Kilifi North before the end of the day. I will talk to the Director of Committees and the Clerk’s Office to see how far the matter has reached.

Very well. Are these interventions for Statements or what are they about? I can see that the Member for West Mugirango, Hon. Kemosi, wants to say something?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to bring to the attention of this House that in the last few days, there has been a behaviour by some Members of this honourable House during various functions, particularly during development projects--- They try to portray some Members of this honourable House as if they are not Hon. Members.

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This happened recently in my constituency. This escalated to other constituencies in Nyeri and Murang’a counties the other day, when Members were initiating different projects. Some Hon. Members whom I do not know whether they fear competition or have ulterior motives have been interrupting the said meetings and making the crowd to heckle some Hon. Members. This happened in my constituency two weeks ago when we were launching a development project in a school, where I had already given Kshs3.2 million in the last one year. Without my knowledge, some Members had brought together some members of the public who made noise. I tried to speak about it by saying that, that was a development project and not a rally. The same thing played out last week in Nyeri County.

On a point of order. Hon. Vincent Kemosi

: There is no point of order, Hon. Speaker. Development projects are not political rallies. If you want to show your might, go and do it in political rallies.

Hon. Kemosi, you are complaining about things which are happening out there in the villages. The Speaker has absolutely no role in those village functions. As I said the other week, the best I can do is to respect every Member who makes his or her way through that door. How you made your way to this place, you know how best to do it. So, when you find those kinds of things in the village, just deal with them the way you know best. That is because I am unlikely to be in every village to know who is disrupting rallies.

Hon. Kemosi, if the function is in your constituency and other people have organised it, then you are expected to know what is happening in your constituency. I may not have any cure for that for the time being. You also talked about Nyeri and Murang’a counties. Again, I have no way of dealing with those kinds of situations. When I visit any constituency, I always make sure that the Member of Parliament is aware of my visit. That is courtesy.

Just a minute, Hon. Angwenyi! I advise that any Member desirous of visiting another Member’s constituency should have the courtesy of notifying his colleague. Do not go to a Member’s constituency without informing him. That is because you can be visited with some unforeseeable situations. You can find problems. Remember that Member knows how to organise the constituents. He or she managed to organise them to vote for him or her. Therefore, when you are visiting another Member’s constituency, please, have the courtesy of informing him or her that you will be there on a particular date, at a given time, the nature of your intended visit and whether you want the Member to participate in what you intend to do there, so that he or she can give you a go-ahead to visit it.

Point of information, Hon. Speaker.

Who are you informing? No! He never sought your information or intervention. Because Hon. Vincent Kemosi did not seek intervention from Hon. Sankok, you are out of order. The Member did not seek intervention from you. So, if you want to inform, why do you not just walk across and whisper to him as the House continues with its business? We should not make that the business of the day.

Hon. Kemosi, with tremendous respect, I will not intervene in such situations. Deal with them in the best way you know. You are the elected person in West Mugirango. If somebody

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Let us hear the Member for Nairobi County.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order No.44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the current status of the legislation relating to children. The National Steering Committee was set up by His Excellency the President to review and propose changes to the legislation related to children and update the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection on its recommendations. There has been an inordinate delay in finalising the relevant legislation relating to children. It is in view of these delays and their subsequent inconveniences that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the following:

Hon. Passaris, when you go beyond what you have provided here, I have to stop you in the manner that I have. I have a copy of your Statement, which does not include the debate you have engaged in. The matter is before the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. Because I expect everybody to understand the Standing Orders properly, when you go beyond what you provided me with, I just have to stop you at that point. The Departmental Committee will deal with your Statement. There is nothing else to debate on it.

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The Leader of the Majority Party does not have to respond to the Member for Kilifi. In fact, the Member for Kilifi should be informed that the response sought was provided and the Statement tabled before the House on Thursday, 26th June 2019. It was tabled here, but the Member was absent. When a Member is absent, he or she should not come to complain that the Statement has not been provided. Just go to the Table Office and get it. You are engaging us in a debate which is spent. The Statement was tabled. Go and look for it in the Table Office so that you can prosecute it beyond here.

Is Hon. Ali Wario or his Vice-Chair present? Chair of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, or his Vice-Chair? They will respond to the request for a Statement by Hon. Esther Passaris in two weeks’ time.

Let us move on to the next Order.

Let the Member for Kangema take his seat. Hon. Members, we are now getting to business. The Report on the status of national referral hospitals, which was tabled before the House, was debated at great length of two days. What remained was for the Question to be put.

Next Order!

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Hon. Members, we are in the Committee of the whole House to consider the President’s Reservations to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2019) as well as the Kenya Accreditation Service Bill (National Assembly Bill No.17 of 2018)

Provisions Relating to the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, the Schedule to the Bill be amended in the provisions relating to the Merchant Shipping Act, No.4 of 2009, by deleting the new subsection 16 (1A) and substituting with the following new provision-

“ (1A) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to a shipping line owned or controlled by the Government.”

The President is doing this in exercise of his powers under Article 115 of the Constitution. This is about amending Section 16 (1) where the amendment to that section was to exempt the Kenya National Shipping Line (KNSL) from any restrictions imposed by that Section.

Why do we want to do this? The restriction on the shipping line was excluding it from certain important services required for the revival of KNSL. This service includes the crewing agency, the pilotage work, clearing and forwarding, port facility operator, shipping agent, terminal operator and container freight station.

The House amended that section and said that the Shipping Line must be wholly owned by the Government. That amendment by the House which was brought by the honourable Member for Mvita, excludes completely the KNSL from the advantage sought by amending this section due to the fact that it is not wholly owned by the Government and, therefore, does not qualify for its exemption.

This is a matter of national interest. It is not about Mombasa or a certain community. It is about the interest of Kenya and improving on the port facilities of Mombasa. This hampers Government efforts to revitalise the KNSL whose revival is part of the Government’s development agenda. It, therefore, slows the implementation of the constitutional provision on the creation of employment opportunities for young people, especially those near the maritime resource areas. So, the people of Coast region will benefit more than what we are being told by other people.

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This practice to establish National Shipping Line in partnership with other agencies is not unique to Kenya. It is a global phenomenon. It is an exercise which enables Government agencies to collaborate with other partners. In this case, to collaborate with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) who have already established other companies and tested shipping routes. This one increases the shipping routes and the networks, and thereby creates competitiveness in the global and regional shipping markets. If we do not do this, then we have no business in expanding the Port of Lamu.

The Port of Lamu is supposed to be a trans-shipment hub. The President of Kenya told Salva Kirr that he would give them 10 acres at Naivasha Economic Zone. We have told President Museveni we will give him land. All this is to make sure that the ports of Mombasa and Lamu become hubs. With that in mind, we must have KNSL as a key player in all this. I am proud as a country that we have a shipping line with our flag. Why do we have shipping lines with other countries’ flags? We want to have a shipping line. This is a factor in favour of Kenya.

For the foregoing reasons, I recommend that the new Subsection 16(1)(A) be deleted and substituted with the following new provisions which the President is recommending. It means provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to a shipping line owned or controlled by the Government. Because we have 54 per cent of KNSL, it does not apply. This cannot apply to Maersk Seaside, PLC or other shipping lines. It applies to KNSL.

Lastly, MSC bought their share of the KNSL in 1997. The story going round that some people have bought some shares in two years or three years… A time will come when we must act as a House in the interest of the nation. I am sure if I was a Member of Parliament from the Coast region and, more so, Mombasa, this could have been a very good opportunity for me to accept it because it is an opportunity for my people to get jobs like being crew liners and others. When the ports expand and KNSL becomes big, their office will be in Mombasa. They will employ the people of Mombasa. Hon. Sherrif Nassir and my other colleagues, we are not doing anything mischievous. This is for the interest of the nation.

I beg to move. (Question of the amendment proposed)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. As much as we will not be in agreement with the sentiments of the President, we will equally respect the Constitution of this country. Today, the Leader of the Majority Party has stressed on the fact that these shares had been bought way back at Kshs50 million for business asset and opportunities. When calculated, it is about Kshs50 million vis-a-vis Kshs100 million. We might not be able to agree that this will provide opportunities for employment for our people because we believe that there were better alternatives to let go of our ports. Again, we are respecting the Constitution of this country, the way this amendment has been worded by the President to indicate that the shipping line that can run a terminal to be owned or operated, means legally that tomorrow, the shares can be diluted and a foreign entity can hold more than

A certified version of this Report 90 per cent of the shares. Whether it is futuristic, we create laws not for now but for the future generations. This day will be remembered that Kenyans lost, but the Constitution of this country won. We will be remembered for that.

Thank you.

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

Let us hear the Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, you have heard what the Member for Mvita has said – that this Constitution won. Yes, because the President is using a provision of the Constitution. The President is using Article 115 in the event…

Let me finish, Hon. Nassir. We listened to you. We are not in Majengo, Mombasa. We are in the Chamber of the Republic of Kenya.

Order, Hon. Sherrif!

Order, Hon. Members! I cannot listen to the noise. I notice there is a lot of interest in contributing to this matter. We will give you, Hon. Members, a chance. But we have to do it in an orderly manner. So, let the Leader of the Majority Party finish his bit and then you will have a chance.

The Leader of the Majority Party, kindly withdraw that.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I apologise and withdraw. I said there is nothing unconstitutional. The President has such power, in a presidential system of government. I have said it earlier. If you go to a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister will not have veto powers. In a presidential system of government, under Article 115, the President, who is elected by more than 8 million people, has the power to veto the legislature in the interest of the nation. That is what the President is doing.

Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Members, you need to note that we are in the Committee of the whole House. We are not going to engage in many lengthy debates. When you get a chance, make your point precisely and then we move on. I will give chances to as many people as we can.

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The Leader of the Minority Party, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. As I agree with the President and support his proposed amendments, I have a somewhat...

Order, Hon. Members! The Leader of the Minority Party has priority to speak. You know that, Hon. Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing. So, relax. Your chance will come.

I agree with the President that sometimes, we tend to think that Government can run businesses. I think we need to start accepting that the Government’s job is not to run businesses. However, to me, we need to go back to the Constitution and talk about public participation. When Government, through ministries, is making far-reaching recommendations such as this one, the people of the Coast need to be comfortable. When I hear Hon. Nassir talk, we should not dismiss him. He represents people and there are Members of Parliament from Coast.

The Government should start engaging people through public participation. Before you bring these legislations to the House, you need to engage and have the leaders and the people understand and appreciate. That is so that we do not have a situation where we are like disagreeing with our colleagues who come from Coast. If this is for the benefit of the people of Coast, why can the leaders from Coast not be engaged? Why can the public at the Coast not be engaged so that they appreciate the good things or intentions of the Government? That is where I have a problem. In future, let the Government learn to engage with the public through public participation.

Let us now hear Hon. Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I support the President’s proposal which, of course, is in line with what our Committee had earlier suggested.

Yes, we did public participation. We want to be on record that we did public participation. During the Second Reading of this Bill, I announced on the Floor of the House... I am on record. We conducted public participation and very many people came from Mombasa. The Senator of Mombasa County appeared before my Committee and made his presentations. I think, in terms of public participation, it was done.

Let me speak about this as the Chair of that relevant Departmental Committee. One, what the Leader of the Majority Party has said about the President’s Memorandum is true. But what do we want to achieve as a country? I want to persuade Members to say that we have done a campaign and this is what we want to achieve as a country. We did a campaign, as a country, about the blue economy. It was from 2015 up to today. This has attracted a lot of investment to this country. The last conference which was done in the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) attracted more than seven Presidents in the world. They came to Nairobi on the issue of blue economy. Now that we are getting revenue and business coming to our country, the question, therefore is, who are we doing it for? That is why we are reviving the Kenya National Shipping Line (KNSL) . There is nothing behind the scenes. We are reviving it so that we can benefit from our campaign.

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Two, as the Chairman of the Committee, I want to clarify the views we got from the public on the propaganda to try to kill this initiative. Number one is on the argument that, maybe, we are selling the KPA to private entities. It is not true. It is not true, completely. After all, the 53 per cent shares of KNSL are held by KPA. So, what do you sell there? There is nothing to sell. Number two is on the idea that we are privatising Terminal 2. It is not true. This is a lie. Even as I talk to you…

Hon. Chairman, you have made your point. I just said that we should not engage in lengthy debates. You have made your point.

Hon. Kamoti, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want the House to appreciate that the power to legislate comes from the people and it is vested in Parliament. The President making many reservations is not good. This might not be the last one. Today, we are grappling with the KPA matters or those of KNSL. Tomorrow, it will be matters of the KQ, or matters about interest capping. So, as Parliament, we need to recapture our line of duty.

Articles 94 and 95 are very clear on the role of Parliament. The President is only allowed to make reservations. However, if reservations will automatically be law such that they even override laws that have gone through public participation, then the powers of Parliament are being watered down.

I am saying no to this because we cannot allow shares that were bought for Kshs50 million to take over a national asset. Two, it was built for over Kshs27 billion. So, we cannot allow people who have invested Kshs50 million to take over a berth that has costed Kenyans over Kshs27 billion.

Hon. Mwashetani, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise up to oppose this reservation that has been brought by the President. It is out of the respect that we have for him. It is not even about the Bill itself but about the target after the Bill is passed. The target is the CT2, Container Terminal 2. The Government spent Kshs27 billion to put up that facility, the CT2. It comes in three phases. The First Phase has cost the Government Kshs27 billion and it is complete. That terminal normally collects about Kshs10 billion in terms of revenue, through the KPA. What they are telling us is that, after this Bill has been passed, and I know it is going to be passed, automatically, the KPA will lose Kshs6.7 billion annually.

Apart from that, looking at the agreement which has already been entered, you will see that KPA predetermined the matter. This amendment was predetermined. It is because looking at the predeterminedness of this amendment, the Second Phase is continuing now. It has cost the Government Kshs16 billion. That is a total of about Kshs43 billion which the Government will spend, but looking at how the company which MSC coming in, it has a share of 47 per cent.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has a share of 53 per cent. Forty seven per cent is not an amount that we can assume. Definitely, The MSC is going to control the revenue that comes in. Every activity that will be undertaken at the KPA will be controlled by MSC. As we talk, all the

A certified version of this Report decisions that are being made by MSC are done from Italy. All the operations of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that were in Mombasa have been transferred to Nairobi. The beehive activities that were taking place in Mombasa are no more. Right now, Mombasa is a ghost city. In the proposed amendment, MSC wants to have control of the City as well, and then transfer its operations to Italy. Therefore, this amendment will haunt us if we approve it. So, I oppose it with the whole of my heart.

Thank you.

Yes Hon. Junet.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, first, we have to understand that Kenya Shipping Line is now dead. It is not working. The Government is trying to revive it. There are 27 shipping lines operating in Mombasa now. All of them are foreign companies. The Government must add value to its assets. There is no need of having an asset that has no value to you. For example, today, we are mourning the death of Bob Collymore. But Safaricom is 40 per cent owned by Vodafone and 60 per cent owned by Kenyans. Look at the kind of revenue the company generates. If that company was still part of Telecom today, would we be discussing Safaricom today in Kenya? It is the responsibility of the Government to revitalise and make good of its assets in whichever part of the country they are domiciled. For example, the sugar companies in our place are all dead. The Government is unable to run them. Can we say that because I own 3,000 hectares of land in Migori, I cannot give somebody an opportunity to come and operate the sugar factories? What matters is the revenue the asset will generate for the country and the benefit the people of coast region will get. It is not about owning an asset for the sake of it.

The KPA has been in existence for many years. Is it operating in the best form required? No! It is not. It is supposed to be improved on. It is now a national asset. I agree that, the views of the leaders from that area must be considered. But they must be considered in line with national interests. If every fiefdom is to say its interest must come first, we will not have the nation as it is supposed to be. This matter, in the end, is going to be of benefit to the country and Mombasa County. The headquarters of the revamped Kenya National Shipping Line will be in Mombasa. They are going to employ people there.

Hon. Junet, you have made your point. Let us have the last Member from this side. Hon. Members, we have ventilated enough on this one.

Hon. Pukose, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. This is an emotive amendment.

The Hon. Member shouting, you are out of order! If you had logged in your card, I would have seen you on the gadget. Right now, I cannot see you.

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

Hon. Member, what is out of order? Do you have your card here? Order Hon. Pukose. Let us hear the Member. I am just being benevolent to you. Next time, do not stand and shout from your sitting position.

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Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I seek your guidance on the Report that was tabled by the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing. Is the House in order to debate it? It was only signed by nine Members and yet the quorum is 11 Members. Is it in order for this House to debate it? I have the Report.

Hon. Member, I do not know what you are reading. We are discussing the Presidential Memorandum.

I agree with you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. But the Presidential Memorandum is based on this Report that was tabled last week on 26th June, 2019 by Hon. Tobiko. The Report was only signed by nine Members. The Standing Orders are clear.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, the Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, this is a House of procedure. We are past the Second Reading and the Committee of the Whole House stages on this matter. What we are dealing with this afternoon, is the Presidential Memorandum. If the Committee’s Report has an issue, he should have raised it when the Report was tabled by the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing. So, the Member is out of Order. He is flogging a dead horse. I want to teach him. He is a new Member and I am a ranking Member.

Order, the Leader of the Majority Party! Order Members! Before I give Hon. Pukose the Floor to finish his contribution, we are on the Presidential Memorandum. I do not know what document the Member is referring to. We are only addressing the Presidential Memorandum.

Hon. Pukose, procced and be brief.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want to speak to the amendment that is contained in the Presidential Memorandum. Hon. Members from Coast region have raised their objections. They should be noted. It is important that, as we pass the Presidential amendment, their issues of concern are looked into. What is playing out here, from what I have gathered, are business issues. It is not even about the people of Coast region. It is about business positions in the shipping line. People want to defend their positions in as far as that business is concerned.

The President is right in protecting the interests of all Kenyans. The shipping line is not just a question of the people of Coast region. It is a matter of interest to this nation. If this is being done in the interest of this nation, the people of Coast region should be willing to sit down with everyone else from the rest of Kenya and discuss matters pertaining to the Port of Mombasa.

With those few remarks, I support the President’s amendment.

Hon. Wakhungu, you are next on the list. Proceed and then we will put the Question. Order, Members!

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. Article 115 of the Constitution is clear on presidential assent and referral. In this context, we are looking at presidential assent and referral, and the reservation the President has pertaining this Bill. We know well that in this country, the majority of the unemployed people

A certified version of this Report are youth. If this partnership will add value, the majority of the people who will benefit are the people of Coast region. It will not be the other people who are far.

So, in this context, looking at the reservations, I am humbly requesting Members, because we know very well when you talk about Turkana oil, it is a national asset; when you talk of KWS, it is a national asset and when you talk about the ADC in Kitale, it is a national asset. So, in this context, I am humbly requesting our colleagues from the Coast; you are the ones who are going to benefit most, so that we support this in view of what the President has said. We are aware of public-private partnerships in this country. We passed this Bill. Where the Government cannot exploit an opportunity, it can partner with a private entity for the purpose of value addition. So, in this context, we want returns on this investment. I humbly request our colleagues to support this so that we can move on in line with the Presidential Reservations.

I thank you.

Hon. Sankok, you have the Floor.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. These rumours are being peddled because of business rivalry and competition. If India did not accept to be competitive and to have too many hospitals, it would not have been a medical tourism destination. The President’s intention is to expand our capacity in terms of being a business hub in the whole of Africa. These rumours should not curtail us. At the end of the day, the more we open up this country, the more we will be competitive in the whole of Africa. We will be the economic powerhouse in Africa. So, the President’s intention is good for this country. It will benefit the people of the Coast and all Kenyans. We are one united nation.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Let us hear Hon. Ochieng’.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, thank you very much. The reason you hear all these murmurs…

Order Members! I said I will give opportunity to as many of you as possible. Do not stand on your feet. I will still notice your urge to contribute.

Thank you very much. I want Hon. Duale to listen. The reason you hear all that is happening now is that there is something called asymmetry of information. Members do not have information about this proposal by the President. Members have online presence; they have email addresses. Instead of allowing rumours to determine debate, the Government should, through your Office, Hon. Duale, give Members information. Every time the President wants to give a reservation, let us get the information beforehand; let us get the research; let us know the reason the Government is proposing this and give us the policy instruments so that we debate in the right manner. Otherwise, every time you do this, you are going to cause rumours. We may think the President is trying to make these laws to benefit his businesses. That is the problem we have.

Thank you very much.

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The Leader of the Majority Party, you have the Floor.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, you know Hon. Ochieng’ has been away for some time. When the President returns a memorandum, the first thing that happens in the House is the Speaker reading it from the Chair. Then it is referred to a committee for 21 days. If you did not read within the 21 days, the days are over. The last day for this to be dealt with is today. You sit down. When I am on my feet, you cannot stand. This is the problem. You know, he is a new Member. The Constitution gives the President seven days to assent to the Bill. This is a country of laws. If you never did your research 21 days ago, and you never raised objections, it is not the Leader of the Majority Party to become your teacher as a kindergarten kid. I am the Member for Garissa Township. It is your work to read. It is my work to bring and defend the President’s Memorandum. Period!

Hon. Baya, you have the Floor.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I would like to say this. While we appreciate the President’s reservations, Article 115 gives the President power to bring in his reservations. At this level, we have nothing else to say. Yes, we support. I personally support the reservations but there is a lot of mystery. This matter is shrouded in a lot of mystery. The transparency that is lacking in the Kenya National Shipping Line is what is causing all this acrimony. The people of Coast demand to be given answers about what is happening within the KNSL. Yes, jobs will be created and many other things, but once bitten twice shy. The people of Coast would like to get as much information as possible about this matter so that, at the end of the day, when decisions are made, people will feel fully involved, they have details, they know everything and everything is done transparently. As it stands now, the KNSL is shrouded in mystery and the people of Coast will continue to ask questions. I would like to state categorically that I support the Presidential Memorandum.

Order Members! Order Members! I want to address myself to an issue raised by the Member for Kisauni on the Report of the Committee. Out of Members’ interest, we have had to look at the Committee Report and, indeed, it was signed by only nine Members. I can see nine signatures. We need to note that we are discussing the Presidential Memorandum, not the Committee’s Report. Whether we had the

Committee Report or not, we would still be on the Presidential Memorandum. Please, take that

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Order Members! I can see only three Members standing. That tells you that your standing is inconsequential.

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

Hon. Kajwang’, you have been a Chair before and you know at this point your point of order is totally overtaken by events. I call on the Mover to move for reporting.

Hon. Kajwang’, we have to move and conclude the business before us. Proceed, Mover.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move that the Committee doth report to the House its consideration of the Presidential Memorandum on the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2019) and its approval thereof with amendments.

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Let us move on to the Next Order.

Since I do not have Clause 2 with me here, Hon. Kanini Kega, let us start with Clause 3. We will come to it later on. Clause 3

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. Clause 2 is also in the Order Paper but may be you will come back to it. However, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 3 of the Bill be amended in paragraph (b) by inserting the words “in Kenya” immediately after the words “assessment bodies”.

The justification is to provide recognition of the Service as the sole national body responsible for accreditation and to make provisions for mutual recognition and upholding of cross- frontier accreditation principles.

I thank you. As you have noted, the Bill is a bit technical. I am happy that we still have a number of Members who would like to make some minor contributions on the same.

Hon. Kega, I hope you are done. Kindly take your seat.

Let us have Hon. Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. The import of the amendment is to reinforce the position that any jurisdiction can only have one accreditation assessment body and there should not be any other. That is the international practice, and that is why we are introducing specifically the term in Kenya. I urge Members to approve so that we give it the teeth it requires to make it relevant and discharge its mandate.

I thank you Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Let us have Hon. Sheikh Mohamed. I do not see any more interest, and so, I will put the Question.

Clause 5

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Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I beg to move: THAT, Clause 5 of the Bill be amended by deleting the word “Nairobi” and substituting therefor the words “Kenya, at a place designated by the Cabinet Secretary and published in the Gazette.”

The justification is to provide flexibility on the location of the headquarters. It may be in Nairobi and next time in Machakos or any other place without changing the Constitution.

I thank you.

There seems to be no interest.

Hon. Ochieng, you have the Floor.

I thank you Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. The Chair of this Committee is my friend. Let me convince him that the kind of institution we are establishing, and you have said it is a very technical institution; most of the time is going to be used not just by Kenyans, but by everybody across the world. If you look at all the laws we have made in this Parliament, most of the time we have indicated specifically the headquarters of the institution that has been established.

If you go to South Africa today, you will know that you will get this Service in Pretoria. In Ghana, you will know that once you land in Accra, you will get a particular institution. So, what is difficult for us to just indicate specifically and say that this is not just an institution going to be used by Kenyans, but by the rest of the world and it should be stationed in Nairobi? The flexibility you are talking about here may not be what we need. In this case, we need certainty over flexibility. I wish to appeal to the Hon. Chair of this Committee to drop this amendment so that we have certainty about the place where this will be situated.

I thank you.

Yes, Hon. Gichimu.

The amendment does not leave any uncertainty. The amendment shows that the place has to be gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) , and so it will be a definite place that will be gazetted.

So, a definite place will be gazetted. It is also in the spirit of decentralisation of services and decongesting of Nairobi City. Accreditation is a very unique service and probably Kenya will be the second in Africa. So, I believe an ideal place should be accessible to enable this important service to be offered. So, this will be a specific service, and anytime, a person can access it depending on where the CS gazettes.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Hon. Oundo did you speak to the first one? Hon. Mbui, I will come back to you because you are barely visible.

Hon. Oundo go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want to convince my neighbour to accept the Committee’s amendment. It has clearly

A certified version of this Report been informed by the nature and spirit of the Constitution which indicates that services should be brought closer to the people as much as possible.

While it is contemplated that Parliament can sit elsewhere other than Nairobi, the view we have is to give that provision. If there will be need to decongest the Capital City Nairobi anytime, then we would not have to go through extraneous complications to provide a different place.

As my colleagues have said, the place where it will be headquartered will be gazetted. Business sense indicates that once gazetted, built and commitments made, it is will be practically impossible to move it at the whims of any particular person. So, I ask my colleague and neighbour to accept the amendment.

Let us hear Hon. Washiali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want to support the position of the Chair of the Committee. Who actually requires accreditation? This is an elitist kind of service to be provided by this organisation. I, therefore, support the position of the Chair that it should be in Nairobi because this is where most accreditation services are required.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

The Majority Whip has his say. Hon. Mbui.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I think the Majority Whip has lost it because he has actually gone against what he had supported. The idea of substituting the word ‘Nairobi’ as an area or place designated by the CS is in good spirit. This is because many nations have moved their capitals. If the capital changes, it means we would have to sit here and move an amendment to the law. It is good to say a place designated as opposed to giving the capital city and naming it.

Hon. Nyamai, I thought you wanted to speak to this or the Chair is coercing you to speak? Go on, Hon. Nyamai.

He has not coerced me, but I am just listening to the argument that this is a service provider, and we should not over legislate by putting the capital centre. I am supporting the Chair and the position of the Committee that the CS should gazette where the headquarters should be.

Clause 6

Hon. Kanini, you have the Floor.

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THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting clause 6 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Functions

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Hon. Kanini you can move your amendment first because Hon. Washiali also has an amendment. If yours goes through, then Hon. Washiali’s will flop. Hon. Millie also has an amendment.

THAT, Clause 7 of the Bill be amended—

It is your chance, Hon. Maanzo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I support my Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. The main policy in the country is actually to reduce the number of boards as much as possible. The other policy of this country – and that is why the Mwongozo talks of nine – is to limit the number of people going into the Civil Service. If you go outside the Mwongozo, then it

A certified version of this Report becomes very complicated in terms of managing all the boards. Every other statute is proposing a board every day. Now that we have formed a new board and we want to align ourselves with the rest of the world which is trading from South Africa to the UK, it will be fair that we keep within the Mwongozo, which is a presidential order and which is developed in conjunction with the regional countries so that we can keep boards at a manageable limit.

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I support.

Hon. Mbui, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. When I look at this accreditation, I see that there is a requirement in the first Part d (i) for two persons with professional qualifications in the fields of science and technology, law, trade, business or industry. I have noticed in this House that there is an area that seems to be left out. That is the area of arts. Architects, actors and designers have qualifications that can also be considered. I propose that in future, we just be fair. I know lawyers are constantly considered. I think it is better to expand this so that we can pick from a bigger group. Now, it means that those people that I have talked about can never find their way into some of these organisations.

Let us now hear the Member for Luanda.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I support the position of the Committee. We must remember that the body that we are enacting into law is a body that will be the custodian of the standard-keepers in this country. It is not a body that is going to carry out standardisation. It is a body that will be the keeper of the standard keepers. So, this is a superior body, and we should not bring in all manner of people, but for purposes of policy only. So, I think the Committee has got it and I support their positions.

On the right, let us have Hon. Njomo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I rise to support the amendment as proposed by the Chair of the Committee. I do this noting that this body is being selected from a wide selection of our country. It is not targeting any area of professionalism or geographical area. It is a well-represented area. That is why when we were discussing the bill on shipping, the Coast people felt that shipping is only about them while it is something affecting every part of the county. That is why I say in this area, the Board is well represented. The selection is from a wide geographical area and a wide selection of professionals. That is why I support it.

I can see Hon. Millie and Hon. Washiali wanting to speak. I do not know if you have been convinced to support the Chair. However, let me give the Floor to Hon. Makali Mulu and then we will hear the two of you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. Even as I support this amendment, I want to make the following observations. I wish the Chair could listen to me. The first one if you look at d (i) and d (ii) in terms of who is supposed to be in this body, under (i) you say professional qualifications in the fields of science and technology, law and trade.

Under (ii) , we have the same thing of professional qualifications in law and human resources. We really plead with the Chair to change one of the two so that we do not have “law” in both and we allow other Kenyans to participate in this important board.

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The other observation is that the requirement is that you can have a minimum of three Board members and a maximum of nine. I have seen a trend in this country where people always go for the highest. We need to bear in mind that these things are very expensive. I would wish that we could just go for three. These are boards for policy and strategic direction. They are not operational boards.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

I am tempted to hear what Hon. Millie and Hon. Washiali have to say. Just a minute, Hon. Millie! Let us have Hon. Ochieng. Hon. Members, please be brief. Do not debate.

The reason I support this amendment is that there is a new inclusion, which I would like Members to look at even as we debate this. This is the new Clause 6 (1) (a) that talks about the fact that these are not handpicked by the CS. They are recruited competitively. So, I also wish to propose something for the future. The penchant in naming where people are going to come from is too outdated. Once we say we are going to use a competitive process, allow the people who are going to do the interviews to determine who qualifies in this case based on who appears before them because we are recruiting competitively.

I request Hon. Washiali and Hon. Millie that that clause that allows this body to be recruited competitively then makes sense and takes into account some of the sentiments I have seen in your amendments.

Your point is made. Hon. Oundo, be brief.

I just want to make two comments briefly relating to the so-called repetition in d (i) and d (2) about law. My colleague, Hon. Omulele, has made it very clear. This body is a custodian of accreditation and standards in this country. Naturally, you will need somebody with a legal background. In the event we do not get somebody under category one, then under category two, we will get a lawyer so that we are able to cover that skill that is required to protect the interest of this country.

Secondly, the country and the world have changed. The issue of being too restrictive in particular aspects is an outdated practice. I would rather call accreditation a moving target. Issues to be accredited will be important today and tomorrow, and they will be completely different issues. So, if we tie ourselves to such a restrictive area, we will get to a point that we are unable to move because we do not have some skills in the Board. In any case, the actual process of accreditation will be conducted by the accreditation advisory committee which has the option to co-opt members. So, in the event an application has come and they do not have adequate skills in the Board or the Service, they will be able to co-opt all the various professional bodies which Hon. Washiali and Hon. Millie Odhiambo purport to cure by their amendments.

Thank you.

Let us hear Hon. Washiali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. Let me start by saying that the process under Committee of the whole House in amending this law may need to be relooked into so that all proposals amending a particular clause are moved and then looked at the same time. Just by the aspect of the Chair moving first, many Members are already committing themselves to support the Chair while they have not heard the reasons why we are moving our amendments.

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You might convince them otherwise.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, first of all, Hon. Millie Odhiambo and I had proposed to change the Board membership to seven. The reason was that we need to inject professionalism. This is a very important body. Quacks should not sit on this Board. My proposal was that we could amend Clause 1 (d) (iv) to…

Are you prosecuting your amendment, Hon. Washiali? We are still on the Chair’s amendment.

That it the unfairness I was talking about.

If you are sure that your amendment is solid, you might convince people otherwise. Just hold your horses. Let us have Hon. Millie.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. My amendment was proposing the inclusion of a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property law. What the Chair of the Committee is doing in the two subsections includes the law profession… The reason why I was talking about intellectual property law is because this is a field where lawyers with expertise in intellectual property law would be of use.

Even though the law profession is mentioned twice in the Chair’s amendment, it is weaker than my proposed amendment. It is weaker in the sense that my amendment made it mandatory that there would be a lawyer but in his amendment, there may or may not be a lawyer.

I do not know which Member was complaining about the law profession appearing twice. The proposed subsection (d) (i) mentions two persons with professional qualifications in the fields of science and technology, law, trade, business or industry. This means that they can pick any two in the list given. It could be business and industry and not law. The proposed subsection (d) (ii) mentions two persons, one with professional qualifications in finance and another one with professional qualifications in law or human resource management. Putting the word “or” immediately after the word “law” means that it is not mandatory. The likelihood is that you could miss the lawyers in either provision. I would have urged the Chair, if possible, to re-do that amendment, but it is not a hard and fast rule for me. If it is included, I hope that the appointing authority will have the wisdom to include a lawyer.

What I also love about the Committee’s proposal is the inclusion of gender and regional balance. Nonetheless, I also support Hon. Washiali so I do not know how you will marry that. I am willing to drop my amendment even though his proposal is weaker than mine in terms of law. I am willing to drop my amendment.

Odhiambo-Mabona withdrawn)

Hon. Chair, can you convince Hon. Millie to drop hers?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I have already said that I have dropped my amendment.

She is already convinced. I will convince her even further when we get to Clause 8. We were alive to the same idea and we said that we will provide co- option of people with relevant knowledge and expertise. It is well-covered in the next Clause which I do not want to pre-empt.

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Let us have Hon. Millie. Chair, you might be losing her further while trying to convince her.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, he is actually losing me with his comments. I am proposing a further amendment to drop the word “co-option”. Co-option is bringing in members in a manner other than what is provided in the law. If you say that the Board members will be brought in competitively or be appointed then you co-opt somebody, it means that that person will not go through the process. Nonetheless, I hope that the persons who will undertake this task will look at the legislative history and have the wisdom to know that it is important to have a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property.

Hon. Millie, looking at the Chair’s amendment, I do not see anything like co-option. Maybe it was just a slip of the tongue on the Chair’s part. We still have Millie on board.

Hon. Washiali, should we finish with the Chair’s amendment and then come back to you? Do you not feel confident enough after the Chair’s is prosecuted? Let us have Hon. Washiali.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, as it is, after looking at the proposals of the Chair, they have recommended people who have expertise in general backgrounds yet as Hon. Millie said, this is a very important Board into which we will need to inject professionalism. Just as Millie insisted that we need to have a lawyer who is properly qualified, I equally felt that we need to add the Registrar of the Kenya Medical Laboratory, Technicians and Technologists Board or a designated representative. This is also for the purpose of injecting some aspect of discipline. It is about testing. We cannot just generalise as the Chair has proposed.

Hon. Washiali, I think we will bypass you for now as we finish the Chair’s amendment and then come back to hear yours.

(Question, that the words to be left out

be left out, put and agreed to)

Hon. Millie’s amendment is dead. Hon. Washiali, it is your chance.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 7 of the Bill be amended in sub-clause (1) in paragraph (d) by—

What is it, Hon. Kanini?

My good friend, the Majority Whip, is somehow misleading us. This entity would not be testing. It is the one accrediting testing bodies. It has to be very clear. It is not this agency that will be doing the testing. It will be accrediting the testing bodies. They are many. There are over 20 testing bodies. If we put each and everybody on the Board, we will definitely have a bloated board.

I will take that as a point of informing Hon. Washiali. Let him finish and then we will have time to contribute.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I appreciate what the Chair is saying that this will be the body that will be supervising the testing bodies. How would you supervise if you do not have the expertise? What he is saying, Madam Chair…

Hon. Washiali, do not respond to him. Just prosecute your amendment and then we move on.

That is correct, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. The Chair should also be patient enough to listen to us. When he is contributing we sit back and listen to him. This is more or less a supervisory body which will, among others, look at the testing for accreditation purposes and conformity. How will you supervise if you do not have the expertise to do so? You cannot do it.

Do not respond to them, Hon. Washiali. Prosecute your points.

Order Members. Let Hon. Washiali have his say.

Correct. Hon. Temporary Deputy

Hon. Ochieng’.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I sympathise with my colleague, Hon. Washiali. He has a very valid point, but the Board we are establishing has a secretariat. It has a Chief Executive Officer and will have institutions inside the bodies.

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

Hon. Omulele, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I do not know whether we have already proposed the Question so that the Hon. Chair can contribute.

You are right, Hon. Omulele. Thank you. That was an oversight. We have engaged in so much debate that we have bypassed the proposing of the Question. Hon. Ochieng’, kindly hold on.

Hon. Ochieng’, continue.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, my point is that the things that will be accredited are a range of the whole world. There is specialisation of the whole world. There is law, science, arts and agriculture. So, we cannot have all the professions that will be accredited in the Board. Secondly, the Board will have a secretariat. If there is need for specialised expertise, it will be found at the level of secretariat technical work. I want to convince Hon. Washiali that we then hope and believe that when recruiting the secretariat, which will comprise of a CEO and staff of the Board, expertise will be included.

Hon. Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I stand to ask my senior colleague, Hon. Washiali, to basically let it go on two reasons. As I said earlier, accreditation is a fairly moving subject. It is never fixed in any particular line.

Secondly, by insisting that we should include Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board or somebody accredited by that particular board, he is assuming that it is the only body that will require accreditation – which is not the case. It is a valid area of issues that we really need to look at differently.

Thirdly, this is a policy organ. Many a times even the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) preside over critical national policy issues but they might not be experts in those particular lines. As long as a range of expertise is there and then we have a secretariat, the accreditation process will be done. As much as he wants to make amendments to Clause 7, he needs to also look at what has been provided for in Clauses 8 and 9 about committees of the Board and accreditation advisory committees. All those areas will be covered in virtue of the provisions of those two amendments that we, as a Committee, have made on Clause 8 and Clause 9.

Thank you.

Chair, Departmental

Committee on Energy, Hon. Gikaria.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I am sorry for being a little bit late. I am trying to catch up. When you proposed the Committee’s amendments, were they carried? I am a little bit lost.

We did not conclude.

I want to disagree with what Hon. Washiali said. I agree with what the Chair said. Clause 7 (d) (i) , (ii) and (iii) of the Bill shows some expertise. Maybe it is what he wants that is not there. At the same time, I also want to

A certified version of this Report agree with what Hon. Ochieng has just said. He said that we can have the same professionals that Hon. Washiali wants in the secretariat, which will give an added value to the Board. I totally agree with what Hon. Ochieng and my brother, Hon. Oundo, said – that, with a secretariat that will have these kinds of professionals, the aspect of Hon. Washiali will be addressed.

I disagree with my senior colleague and oppose the amendment.

Member for Gichugu.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I disagree with Hon. Washiali’s proposal for amendment. As it has already been indicated, the accreditation service is a custodian of all the international standards through the assessment conformity bodies. It is not possible to cover each and every area under the sun in the Board. So, we just have to have the critical areas like law, industry and health so that other things can be sorted out at the advisory level, which the Board has powers to appoint.

Thank you, Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Hon. Millie, you have further amendments.

I withdrew them.

Did you withdraw all of them?

No, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I have to know which one I withdrew.

This is on deletion and substitution of words in sub-clause 3.

Is it in Clause 7?

Yes.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I have further amendments.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 7 of the Bill be amended—

So, you have moved the two amendments.

Yes, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. They are two.

Thank you.

Hon. Makali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I agree with Hon. Millie on the election of the vice-chair. The best practice is that when you meet for the first meeting, you elect a vice-chair who remains for the term of the Board or part of the term of the Board, but not electing a vice-chair in every meeting. So, I support the amendment that the vice-chair is elected either in the first or in the second meeting but in a specific time other than it being done in every meeting. That will be tedious and not a good practice.

On the issue of gender, that is if the chair is a man or woman, it is also good. Where the chairperson is a woman, a man becomes a vice-chair. That is good for the country as we move forward.

Thank you and I support the amendment.

Hon. Kanini.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. That is a debate we also had. We looked at the Mwongozo which gives the guidelines. In Mwongozo, there are no vice-chairs provided for. We were of the opinion that most parastatals have a chair, a remunerated office, but there is no position of a vice-chair. So, we went as per the Mwongozo

A certified version of this Report guidelines. I respectfully submit and beseech my good friend Hon. Millie Odhiambo to withdraw her amendment.

On the issue of gender, which she is passionate about, I believe the team that will constitute this Board will definitely take that into consideration. So, it will be taken care of.

Will it be taken care of without an amendment?

Yes. It will be taken care of. It is something we deliberated on.

Let us have Hon. Rachael Nyamai.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, before I had listened to Hon. Kanini Kega, I wanted to rise to support what Hon. Millie Odhiambo had said. When I look at Clause 7, I realise that it was a mistake in the first place even to start prescribing how the vice-chair will be identified. So, for that matter, I would like to support Hon. Kanini Kega that we stick to the Chair’s proposal. Most of the boards that exist have no vice-chairs. In the event that the chair is not available, then they just choose any other member to chair a sitting.

Hon. Millie.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I just thought that we needed clarity. What is on the table is my proposed amendment which introduces a vice-chair for consistency and coherence and what obtains in the Bill is electing a vice-chair in every sitting and not what Hon. Rachael has said that it is left blank. There is no blank. The Bill says that the board will be electing a vice-chair every time they meet.

Hon. Rachael, could you clarify your comment?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I do not want to be misunderstood. I am saying that any board that exists has a chair. But the Bill prescribes how, in the absence of a chair, the members should elect another member to chair. I support the Chair that we just go up to the level of having a chairperson. Regarding how a meeting is handled in the absence of a chair, it should be left blank. If we do that, we will be over-legislating and prescribing how meetings will be held.

Let me give a chance to Hon. Serem, the Vice Chair of Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. He has not spoken.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want to support what the Chair has just said and disagree with Hon. Nyamai that, if we delete the section that talks about how to pick the vice-chair, then she has to bring an amendment on the same. We do not have that at the moment. So, unless she proposes an amendment on that, what she has in mind is irrelevant.

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The picking of chairs in any parastatal in Kenya is a procedure. It is not something new that we have to discuss how it should be done. We know how much to pay the chairs and how much we pay board members. For this case, if we bring in the vice-chair, we must say how they should be paid. There is a standard procedure in Government on how they are paid. As discussed by the Chair, we were guided by the Mwongozo guidelines.

In this case, I urge the Hon. Member to withdraw her amendment. Hon. Millie has agreed that it falls…

Hon. Serem, you can only speak for yourself.

She does not have to agree with me.

You have made you point. Let us not make it lengthy. I want you Members to make a decision.

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Who are you informing?

I want to inform Hon. Millie, Hon. Serem and Hon. Rachael.

Briefly, Hon. Ochieng’.

This is important because Clause 3 talks about presiding and not about a vice-chair. It is about presiding. So, we are not electing a vice-chair in every meeting. We are only choosing a presiding officer. That is what Clause 3 says. The chairperson shall preside at every meeting and in his or her absence; the members shall appoint one from among themselves to preside. It is not about vice-chairmanship. That is what I want noted. It is about presiding over a meeting where the chair is not there. It is not about vice- chairmanship.

Hon. Members, we have had enough.

Order, Hon. Millie! Who are you talking to? Order, Hon. Millie! Let us have Hon. Rozaah Buyu, and then we will make a decision.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I was going to support Hon. Millie in her amendment, but given the clarification that has just been given by Hon. David Ochieng’, I stand by what he has said that we do not need to amend because we are not talking about a chairperson.

Thank you.

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

What is it, Hon. Millie?

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Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I have two amendments. On one, Hon. Ochieng’ has explained that we are talking about a presiding officer which in his sense is de facto vice-chair. When a presiding officer is appointed, it then means that in every sitting where the chair is not there, they will appoint a new person. So, in effect, it is de facto and not de jure.

Secondly, I am asking that in the event where the chair is not there…

Hon. Millie, we want you to demystify your legal terminologies.

Let me demystify. De facto basically means that in practice that person will be acting as a vice-chair because he takes over the position of chair in the absence of the chair. De jure means that if we provided for it in law as a vice-chair, then it would be by law. But, de facto even if you say presiding, he will be a vice- chair.

My point of order was that can we move them one by one. The one on the zebra, then the other one. I am not withdrawing my amendment, even if I am the only one supporting it.

Hon. Millie, we can separate the two amendments so that it is clear for Members that the amendments are two.

Hon. Millie, I am trying to help you, but you are acting rowdy. Hon. Omulele.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, with tremendous respect to my senior, Hon. Millie, on the nomenclature that is used here about the chair and vice-chair, her take is wrong. It is posted that when the Board sits, it will appoint one of the members to act in the position of chair whenever the substantive chair is not present. That person will be acting as chair. He will be the acting chair and not the vice-chair.

You have made your point. Let us deal with sub-clause (3) .

Hon. Millie, you have prosecuted the two of them. I go on to put the Question.

A certified version of this Report Clause 8

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. As I had earlier said, the Bill is technical. Every other time, we are getting new information which is also good. We appreciate the contribution by the Members.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 8 of the Bill be amended—

Some clarification, Chair. You will notice that Hon. Millie has an amendment that proposes to delete and substitute sub-clause (2) . Kindly deal with sub-clause (1) and then we will give Hon. Millie an opportunity to prosecute her amendment. Depending on how it goes, yours will be affected.

I stand guided. Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, I beg to move:

THAT, clause 8 of the Bill be amended—

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, I beg to move:

THAT, clause 8 of the Bill be amended by deleting sub-clause (2) and substituting therefor the following new sub-clause —

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I intend to agree with my dear sister. On this co-option thing, there are those who are brought in through a process. There are those who make decisions. What she is saying is right. The best thing to do is to hire a consultant who will give the Board an expert opinion and it will see whether to consider it or not. Otherwise, if you bring this co-option thing, then it is like you are bringing people through the backdoor. Even if that co-opted member does not vote, they might have influence upon the decisions of the Board. I totally agree with the amendment by my sister, Hon. Millie.

Member for Luanda.

If you are going to co-opt these members, it means that they become members of that Board at that instance. The mischief that is intended to be cured here was for this Board to be able to receive advice from experts, which they can either accept or reject. This co-option will not do.

Vice-Chair, Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Serem.

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I disagree with Hon. Millie because what we are talking about here is not the Board; it is the committee. The Members have said earlier that in the event that the Board is gazetted, it might not meet all the requirements in terms of expertise. You can co-opt in an event that you require an expert to assist the committee. This is a committee of the board. I disagree with Hon. Millie on this one. I do not have to agree with you, Hon. Millie. I am just expressing my opinion which is different from yours.

Let us give Hon. Savula a chance. I do not think he has spoken this afternoon.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I want to agree with my senior colleague, Hon. Millie. All over the world, the practice is that the board makes policy. The management offers expertise. The experts are supposed to sit at the management level, generate an idea and take it to the board for approval. You cannot bring experts at the board level.

My idea is that the issue of co-opting board members should not arise anywhere. Co- option should be done at the management level where expertise is required.

Hon. Members, we also need to be factual. We are talking about a committee, not board members. I think those are two different organs.

Hon. Millie, I am just giving you time to clarify your point as the Mover.

I want the Committee to clarify. I sit in the Committee of the whole House and maybe they do not come too frequently. There is no rule that the Committee must disagree with any Member who proposes amendments. I think that is their mentality. If they notice, there are some I agree with and some I do not. This thing is not personal property. If I bring something that makes sense, support it; if I bring something which does not make sense, do not support it. Ideally, what you should have done if you are a good Committee, you should have met me out and we agree. That is actually how you move. You do not come here and oppose for the sake of opposing. I want to tell them, if they do not know me, I will sit here and push my amendments one by one, whether they pass or fail because I believe in them.

Having said that, what I want the Chairman to clarify for me is based on his own amendment. In his amendment, it provides that the Board may from time to time establish such committees as it may consider appropriate for the better carrying out of its functions. What I want to know is whether he means that these are committees which are not sub-committees of the board. If you got my amendment was based on this which is talking of committees of the board. If they are other committees which are not boards, can he bring a further amendment to clarify that they are not committees of the board? If they are not committees of the board, I am willing to drop my amendments but, if they are committees of the board, only board members should sit in the sub-committees of the board. You cannot have strangers sitting in the sub- committees of boards.

That is true. Well said, Hon. Millie. I think Hon. Millie has made a very important point. The fact that a Member brings an amendment to a section of a Bill or Report does not mean that the Member is fighting with the Committee. It does not need to be adversarial. It is actually intended to enrich the Report, Bill or the Committee’s position. I think that is an important point from Hon. Millie so that we do not seem like we are fighting over these amendments.

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Hon. Chair, you are away from your seat and Hon. Millie wants a clarification from you.

I just wanted to make sure that, as the Chair clarifies….

Sorry, Hon. Ochieng. I think it helps to have the kind of consultation Hon. Millie is talking about so that we do not spend a lot of time on issues that can easily be agreed on between Committee and Members.

Indeed. We are not here to oppose or support anything, for that matter. We are here to enrich legislation. So, if anybody comes with a fixed mind, we miss out.

Just to add on what Hon. Millie has said, if the Committee is talking about the general committee of the Board, they are illegal from the word go. The Board can never have any power to establish such committees as they have been talking about outside themselves. I just needed to mention that to the Chair – this Board you are talking about is established as such within this law. This Board can never have the capacity to establish other sub-committees or committees that do not belong to it. They do not have that authority. That needs to be clarified so that we move forward on this.

Let us give the Chair or Hon. Oundo an opportunity, first.

The Chair has nominated me to act in his place.

Oh, he has delegated his powers?

Yes, for this particular aspect. I need Members to understand the envisaged structure of KENAS so that we do well as we debate. We have nothing against Mheshimiwa Millie Odhiambo’s proposed amendments but, let us, first of all understand the envisaged structure of the Service. The Service consists of the Board. We were informed at the public participation level, that ordinarily a committee or a board can establish such other committees as is necessary to undertake its functions. We were given, for example, you can have an audit committee and a human resource committee. For example, the human resource capital committee can actually incorporate as a member or technical person the HR manager. The audit committee can incorporate a finance manager. That was the envisaged plan; that is what is envisaged in this amendment.

Secondly, we have statutory or mandatory committees, as it is an international practice all over the world. There is the advisory committee and the tribunal. So, here, we need to understand from that point of view as much as we debate to either carry or fail to carry her amendments that we are talking about the sub-committees of the Board. We are talking about statutory or mandatory committees. In that event, if we are talking about sub-committees then purporting to hire experts is actually infringing on the work of the secretariat. You are infringing on the work of the mandatory committees. That is why we said we are co-opting such that if there is any point of clarification or any point of information, the co-opted members can give their expert

A certified version of this Report knowledge. Surely, it is just a matter of semantics over which I beg this House to help us refine if we find there is a bit of misunderstanding or lack of clarity on this aspect.

Hon. Millie, are you clearer or confused? Is it clearer? They were clarifying something for you.

Yes, he has clarified. Based on his clarification, I think my amendment stays. From his amendment, he is saying that this is actually committees of the board. I want to tell Hon. Oundo that it is actually fortunate that many of us come here with international experience. I was a CEO of several organisations before I came here. So, I also know the international standards he is talking about. Based on the international standards he is talking about, you create sub-committees; there are standing sub-committees and there are technical sub-committees that you will form, of the board. They will be board members. If you want to enrich, you do not co-opt. Even if you look at other laws, we do not co-opt. If you co-opt, it means you are bringing other members through the back door. What you do is hire expertise because it comes and goes, it does not encroach; they do their work from outside. If you want to use the members who are in, you consult. That is the wording. He is saying it is a matter of semantics. Law is about semantics. When you say “consult”, it has a different meaning. When you say “co-opt”, it has a different meaning. When you say “hire expertise”, it has different meaning in semantics in law.

That is why I want to agree with him that based on what he has said; I think my proposed amendment makes sense. Let us hire expertise.

Members, I think we can finish it. Let me have one from this side. Hon. Gikaria, do you want to say a thing? You already spoke to it. Do not sneak back, you spoke to it already.

Let me have the Member for Gichugu.

My understating of this clause is that since the area of accreditation is very wide, the Board can get other committees advising on various aspects. It may not necessarily be adding another member to the Board. That is following the amendment that has already been done on Clause 8 (1) that the Board can establish other committees or, take into consideration “The board may, from time to time, establish such committees as it may consider appropriate for the better carrying out of its functions.’’

That is followed by the next amendment, whose knowledge and skills are necessary for the performance of the functions of the Service. So, in my construction, this is a member to a committee that has already been established under sub-clause (1) but not a member to the Board. We have agreed that the area of application is so wide that we may not be able to cover everyone in the Board.

Finally, let us have Hon. Ochieng’.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, we are in this to enrich the Bill. The marginal note on this clause says “Committee of the Board.” That is what it says on the side. If that is the case, and based on what Hon. Millie and Hon. Savula have said, this Board has under Clause 6 that we have just considered, paragraphs (a) - (u) in terms of functions that it is going to carry out. What is difficult in agreeing with what Hon. Millie is proposing? If I may plead with the Chairperson, please agree with it and adopt it. It works best. The sub-committees will be enriched by hired consultants. If you have been appointed you have

A certified version of this Report no power to appoint other members; you cannot co-opt. Chairperson, just accept that you will allow the Board to hire so that they can do their work well. It will not cost you anything.

The Chairperson, by his body language, seems to have accepted. Let us hear him.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. Our Committee is magnanimous. As we said, this is a Bill we are making from the scratch. We are open to any positive contribution. We have no issue with that proposal.

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Hon. Omulele, who do you want to inform? Hon. Kanini, do you want to be informed by Hon. Omulele?

He is my good friend. I cannot decline his information.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, if you look at the marginal note to that clause you will see that it is clearly written “Committees of the Board.” They are not committees of anything else. If they were committees of the management, that would be different. But these are committees of the Board. If you co-opt me here, as a Member of Parliament (MP) , I will come in as an equal member. It is the same way we have nominated MPs. They come in and enjoy full rights of an MP. So, they become MPs. If you want to seek advice, you can do so by hiring expertise. You can then take it or refuse it. So, you cannot co-opt members. You will be expanding the Board.

Well said, Hon. Omulele. Chairperson, have you accepted that proposal?

Yes, I am in agreement, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Let us move on then.

Hon. Kanini Kega. Insertion of New Sub-clause (4) immediately after Sub-clause (3) . Did you drop it?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I do not know how to proceed with the agreements that I have with Hon. Millie. It was a give and take. I, therefore, drop the proposed amendment.

I hear you. Actually, that particular proposed amendment has been rendered redundant after Hon. Millie’s amendment to sub-clause

(2)

was carried.

Hon. Washiali, you have three proposed amendments. One and two are spent. So, you will confine yourself to sub-clause

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, since the amendment by Hon. Millie has been carried, I wish to drop my amendment on injection of professionalism in the committee alongside the other amendments that I had proposed.

Hon. Washiali, you said that you are dropping your amendment?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I may go back. The reason why my other amendments were dropped was so that they are able to appoint professionals. However, now they are co-opting instead of appointing. It appears that this Committee is allergic to professionalism.

Hon. Washiali, you cannot take us back. If you are withdrawing…

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, if the position I was proposing has been co-opted, then there is no point of me pursuing the other amendments which you were…

Hon. Washiali, then drop your proposal without conditions.

That is why I am dropping it. It is important to tell the House why I am dropping it.

Once you drop your proposal, there is no room for provisos or any additions.

Let us proceed.

Clause 9

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting clause 9 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Accreditati on Advisory Committee

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Hon. Washiali, you realise that your proposed amendment is spent.

Let us move on. Clause 10

Hon. Kanini.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I beg to move:

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 10 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Accreditation Schemes.

On a point of order.

Hon. Millie.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I would wish to seek your guidance. I see the Chair of the Committee is proposing new clauses. If you look at the first paragraph of his proposal, he says: “The Bill be

A certified version of this Report amended by inserting the following new clauses immediately after Clause 10.” So, the clauses are coming after Clause 10, meaning that the existing Clause 10 is not being touched. If that is the case, I just wanted to know procedurally whether you would deal with my amendment before we go to the new clauses, because I have a proposed amendment to the existing Clause 10. Chair, I hope you understand what I am saying. The Chair is proposing new clauses.

The Chair is proposing deletion and substitution.

Maybe my version is wrong. It says that: “The Bill be amended…”

Are you reading the Order Paper or what are you reading?

Yes, the e-Order Paper. It says: ‘The Bill be amended by inserting the following new clauses immediately after Clause 10.”

Hon. Millie, I think you are on Clause 10A and we are on Clause 10. So, you are reading the wrong one.

Sorry, Chair. I realise that. Thank you. I stand guided.

Hon. Kimunya.

Thank you, Chair. Perhaps I may not have got exactly what the Chair said, but if I look at the Bill, the existing Clause 10 is about the functions of the accreditation committee. It is not about the schemes. We just created an Accreditation Advisory Committee, which requires its functions to be defined. I actually expected the Chair to be now amending Clause 10 to read “Accreditation Advisory Committee’s Functions”. By deleting the functions of the committee and then bringing in a scheme, it means we have created an Accreditation Advisory Committee, but have deleted its functions. The functions are in Clause 10, but we are deleting the clause. I would want the Chair to clarify whether that is exactly the situation we are in.

Clause 9 establishes the Accreditation Advisory Committee. Clause 10 currently covers the functions of the accreditation committee. By deleting that clause, it means we have a committee that does not have its functions defined in law. If we are deleting that clause, then we are basically creating a committee and not giving it functions in law. We are deleting and substituting by creating another body. If that is the case, then perhaps, we need to revisit this area. Chair, could you confirm?

I will give an opportunity to the Chair and the Members of the Committee. Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Chair, probably just a matter of clarification, the Accreditation Advisory Committee and its broad functions are basically set out

A certified version of this Report in the amended Clause 9. It clearly states the functions from paragraph (a) all the way to paragraph (f). When we come to Clause 10, and if he has got a chance to look at the published Bill, it provides functions or the process of the Accreditation Advisory Committee. Actually, it was called accreditation committee, but we changed to Accreditation Advisory Committee. It literally states the functions.

Based on international practices and from the benchmark visits that we made, the normal practice is talking about an accreditation scheme that literally is a rundown of the entire process from the point you receive all the way to the point you process and conclude application for accreditation. So, I want to ask Hon. Kimunya to look at it from that point of view, so that we align this Bill to international practices to avoid a situation where our legislation and regulatory framework seems weak comparable to other jurisdictions, such that our accreditation mark does not meet international practices. It was basically that. If there is any lacuna in terms of drafting that can be dealt with, but we are no longer talking about the functions. We are talking about the scheme to state clearly the process from the beginning to the end.

Hon. Chair, do you want to add something?

In our Committee’s recommendation, there are recommendations on Clause 9, which we have not touched. I think it is the one that addresses the issues Hon. Kimunya has alluded to. Of course, it draws so much on the Accreditation Advisory Committee and it stipulates the issues as my colleague has clearly put it. In our amendment, we had also proposed amendments to Clause 9. It is actually deletion and substitution of Clause 9 as per the Order Paper.

Is it Clause 9 or 10, Hon. Chair?

I also have Clause 9, which we have not dispensed with.

Hon. Chair, we are done with Clause 9. We are on Clause 10.

I think my friend, Hon. Kimunya, came late and he is taking us back.

Hon. Kimunya, are you satisfied with what Hon. Oundo has tried to explain?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I hear what the Committee is saying. It is a classic case of poor drafting. We are mixing the establishment and the functions. There is a reason why the two are separated in law. You combine them and in so doing, we lost, for example, the subject matter in sub-clause (3) , where the accreditation committee may withdraw an accreditation. We have now lost it because it is not covered in the new Clause 9. I am just looking at what is here unless it is covered elsewhere. If you are legislating and then pushing some little legislation, you end up with a situation where on some of these very critical things like accreditation, we end up with a legislation which may be declared null and void and you cannot do anything on accreditation for ever. So, let us be very clear at this

A certified version of this Report point on what can be tidied up in the Bill. If you can tell us where Clause 10(3) is covered within Clause 9 or a subsequent one, then I will be okay.

Hon. Ochieng’.

As I get it, and probably the Chair will clarify this, the total effect of the amendments is that the current Clause 10 has been done away with totally. It is not there. It is non-existent anymore. Therefore, reference to it does not help.

That is what the Chair is proposing.

That is the point. We have not passed it already. We have agreed on Clause 9, which clearly indicates that the body is established and the functions are therein entrenched. With the new amendment that we are discussing, we are doing away with Clause 10 totally. It is going to be non-existent from the time we pass Clause 10. That is how I get this.

Let us give Hon. Millie a chance, so that the Committee does not dominate.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. What Hon. Kimunya is saying is true. I do not know how we would cure the challenge unless we cure it through a re-committal or further amendments in future because it will be a bit of a challenge. We mixed the concept of the constitution of the committee and its functions and thereby we lost some of the critical functions. If you look at my proposed amendments in Clause 10, which we are now proposing to delete, it was to refine the functions which we have in the amendments that we have passed in Clause 9, which are fairly general.

Although we have already passed, had we seen that before, we would have asked the Chair to do further amendments in Clause 9. However, because it is passed, the only opportunity we have is either a re-committal or wait for six months and bring a further amendment. If this one passes, it is going to affect my proposed amendments. In doing so, I know my amendments in Clause 10 will collapse. They already collapsed in Clause 9. The way the margin note is worded was about functions. So, that is something that the Chair needs to look at for legislative coherence and elegance.

I thank you.

Let us have Hon. Oundo.

I would not want us to go back to Clause 9. However, the marginal notes could have an error, which can be cured at an appropriate time. However, I beg my colleagues concerning Clause 10 and New Clause 10, which is a fairly elaborate provision relating to the accreditation process and service scheme. It will be practically impossible or it can still be possible, but it will be a bit untidy for us to start introducing amendments upon amendments. What we have provided here has literally been covered to provide the entire accreditation scheme as practised in other comparative jurisdictions. I want to request, specifically Hon. Millie Odhiambo, to drop her amendment as far as Clause 10 is concerned. I thank you.

Hon. (Dr.) Oundo, I suppose you and the Chair are taking notes of the issues raised by Hon. Kimunya, Hon. Millie and other Hon. Members. Essentially, Hon. Millie has agreed with the Chair and her amendment stands dropped. So, we can conclude by putting the Question.

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(Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to) (Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. We appreciate the contribution of the Members. As I continuously say, this Bill is a new one and a bit technical. So, we are open to all positive contributions.

I beg to move: THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 11 and substituting therefor the following new clause —

Accreditation Appeals Tribunal.

Order Chair, you are supposed to address the Chair and not Hon. Kimunya.

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(Inaudible)

Order, Hon. Ochieng’. You do not just shout at the Chair. I do not see any interests in contributing. Hon. Omulele.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, this is a good amendment. The practice now is that we have tribunals. I have seen the proposed membership is on point. The person who is going to sit in this tribunal as chair will have the qualifications of a High Court Judge. These tribunals are properly equal to High Courts and this is good. I support.

Hon. Washiali’s proposed amendment, therefore, is dropped.

Clause 12

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 12 of the Bill be amended —

Hon. Kimunya, you seemed to have agreed with the Chair.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chair, in Clause 11, which we just passed under 4, except as provided in the other Schedule, the Accreditation Appeals Tribunal shall regulate its own business and procedure.

We then come in to create a similar thing in Clause 12, where all we are doing is change the name from the “Appeals Committee” to “Accreditation Appeals Tribunal”. In Clause 12 (2) , after we change that, it will be a replica of what we have already provided in Clause 11.

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Could the Chair consider dropping the amendment to Clause 12(2) because it is already covered in Clause 11 (4)?

We have already provided for the provision of how they will regulate their own procedure. So, we are repeating this in Clause 12. Chair, for purposes of neatness in drafting, you should drop your amendment to Clause 12(2) so as to avoid duplication.

Chair or Members of the Committee. Hon. Oundo, I think this is a collective responsibility for the whole Committee.

Yes, since all of us have been involved in this Bill for almost six months, it has become part and parcel of our blood system. I want to agree with Hon. Kimunya’s comments that this is a duplication or repetition of what has already been legislated. So, we need guidance on the process to drop amendments in Clause 12 (b) . On behalf of the Committee, I propose to drop the amendments in Clause 12 (b) . We retain Clause 12 (a) and drop 12 (b) because it is already covered and is duplication.

Hon. Members, Clause 12 (b) is dropped by the Committee. Chair, for the record of the House, let us have it clearly.

For the comfort of my good friend, Hon. Millie, and for the record, we drop the entire Clause 12 (b)

Hon. Chair, are you dropping Clause 12 (b) ? Is that correct?

Yes, that is correct.

Both Hon. Washiali and Hon. Millie have amendments. Let us start with Hon. Washiali.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 13 of the Bill be amended in sub clause (2) by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (b) — “ (bb) is registered by the relevant regulatory body”. I had dropped amendments to Clause 13 (a) because they were in conflict with the Constitution. As I had mentioned earlier, Clause 13 (b) would have been relevant only if the earlier amendment of inclusion of professionalism was accepted. Now that it was not considered, there is no point of us referring this to the registered relevant regulatory body. So, I wish to drop.

It, therefore, stands dropped. Let us have Hon. Millie

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(Proposed amendment by Hon. Benjamin Washiali dropped)

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 13 of the Bill be amended—

Hon. Millie, they are three amendments and not two.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, in Clause 13 (2) , I propose we add the word “law”, so that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) can be a person who is either qualified in science, information technology, business administration or law. I do not know whether I should move all of them at once or I go one by one because they are very different.

Please, go on and deal with all of them.

In Clause 13 (5) , I am proposing we remove the words “reasonable cause” and put the words “on any of the grounds stipulated under subsection (5A) , which proposes the grounds under which a person can be removed. Most laws provide grounds under which a person can be removed. So, if you leave the words “reasonable ground” it is often subject to abuse. If I do not like you, I can just decide there are reasonable grounds. My proposal then is that we have a new Clause 13 (5A) which provides the grounds under which the appointment of the CEO may be revoked.

We should not leave it as “reasonable” because it is very subjective. What is reasonable to you is not necessarily reasonable to me. But when you provide it in law, then, you are forced to use the standard as stipulated by the law. Those are my three proposed amendments.

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Hon. Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I speak not necessarily as the Committee, but to probably just give some background information. I have no problem with all the amendments under 13 (b) and (c) , but with amendment to Clause 13 (a) , where the Member is saying that we add the word “law”. I am not an expert in legal drafting, but I have this view that the implication is the appointing authority could as well appoint an advocate or lawyer to head the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) as a CEO. Truly speaking, and I want the Member to consider, the bulk of the work that is going to be done by KENAS is going to be of technical nature, scientific business processes and others. If by any chance the appointing authority exceeds or does not see that point of view and appoints an advocate, I am not in any way meaning they do not have capacity to understand science and other issues, we could have a body that is generally incapacitated in terms of decision-making and undertaking their functions. That is my view. Yes, it is okay, but that is the reality and implication unless the amendment comes with a rider that, that person must have some technical knowledge in science and business processes. Thank you.

Is it a point of order or you want to contribute? Then you just be forthright. Yes, Hon. Omboko.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I have just been following and that is partly why I went to speak to Hon. Oundo. I think there would be no need to really bring a lawyer. Now that she is convinced, let me just conclude by saying that they can always hire a lawyer if need be and then use that particular expertise when it is required. Thank you.

Hon. Millie, you can clean up your amendment for us to know where we are. Drop what you are dropping and we know what you are holding onto.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I have said that when I am convinced, I do not insist. What Hon. Oundo is saying actually makes sense. Because they have now established the tribunal which has a person of the level of a Judge of the High of Kenya, it is okay. I really do not insist on Part (a) , but the other parts really do make sense. I urge the Members to support the others so that we do not have arbitrary measures to dismiss the CEO. I am willing to drop the first part.

So, you are dropping Clause 13 (a) of your amendment?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. That is the one that has to do with adding a lawyer.

(a)

by Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona dropped)

Hon. Kimunya, do you still want to speak to it?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, procedurally - and I think Hon. Millie raised this herself - what this clause is doing is introducing new clauses that have not been subjected to Second Reading. They are coming in as new sub-clauses. They could as well be introduced as new clauses. So, we need to figure out exactly that we are not legislating outside the established framework where we are now introducing new clauses. You will see deleting some words and then introducing a new sub-clause. We need to look at that. If it

A certified version of this Report is okay, fine, but we should be aware that there is a clause that has been added which is substantial, but it has not been subjected to Second Reading.

Hon. Millie.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I agree with Hon. Kimunya except that I thought we had changed because we have been going on without subjecting all the new clauses to Second Reading. There are new clauses that we actually passed even in… Which were the others? The ones that we have just done.

We do not have any new clauses.

Not on this one.

I do not think we have any new sub-clauses.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I am not talking of Clause 13. I am talking of the ones before. Even in Clause 11, we had new clauses, which we did not read a Second Time, but I am okay because I know procedurally, when you have a new clause, they should be read a Second Time. So, I really do not mind. Ordinarily, what would happen is that all the new clauses are read at the end, but because we have been going this way, sometimes you know procedures change. That is why I was not insisting. I stand guided by you on how you would want us to go but I am ready to have my second part read a Second Time because the first one is an amendment and not a new clause.

Hon. Millie, we will get to that later. You already dropped (a) and you prosecuted (b) and (c) .

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, let me just explain. I dropped Clause 13 (2) (a) , where I was proposing the inclusion of law. Then I was proposing an amendment to Clause 13 (5) and proposing a New Clause 13 (5A) . What I am requesting is subject to your direction. Sorry, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady.

Do you need the help of Hon. Kimunya, but you would not know what she wants to say.

No, Hon. Kimunya is very good at this process. So, he can help.

So, do we give him the chance to pre-empt your thoughts.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, the first proposed amendment I am talking about, which I dropped, was Clause 13 because I was proposing additional 13 (2) (a) . So, I dropped my amendment to Clause 13 (2) (a) . Then I have a proposed amendment to Clause 13 (5) which says: “the Cabinet Secretary, on the written recommendation of the board and for reasonable cause…” So, I am proposing that we delete the words “and for reasonable cause” and replace with the words: “and on the grounds stipulated under subsection (5A) ”, which is a new clause.

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I can see the Chair has also changed. The Temporary Deputy Chairman (Hon. Christopher Omulele): Hon. Millie, proceed, it is well.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, it would only make sense if that sub-clause passes for me to move this amendment. So, you will advise on how we can go about it. I will be proposing a new sub-clause 13 (5) (j) that gives the grounds for dismissal of a CEO. If that passes, then we need an amendment to Clause 13 (5) .

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Millie, what I can advise is that we treat this as a new clause and then when we get to the time for moving new clauses, you can have an opportunity to have a go at it.

So, I will do both of them? The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Yes.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Members, that means Clause 13 has no amendments.

Clause 14

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Chairman, you have an amendment to this.

THAT, Clause 14 of the Bill be amended by inserting the following new sub clause immediately after sub clause

(2)

— “

(3)

The Service shall ensure that the appointment of its staff reflects the ethnic, gender and regional diversity of the people of Kenya.” The justification is simple. It is to provide that the Service shall consider the ethnic, gender and regional diversity of the people of Kenya while making appointments.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Let us have Hon. Kimunya.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, my issue is procedural. If it is being introduced as a new sub-clause, should it not come in when we are dealing with new clauses and sub-clauses so that we are not legislating outside the framework that we have created for ourselves? We are not deleting or replacing. We are introducing something new to the Bill that has not been discussed before.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Kimunya, you are on point. Hon. Chair, I direct that you move your New Clause when we are prosecuting the new clauses. That, therefore, means that Clause 14 has no amendment. I will propose the Question as if there are no amendments to Clause 14. Are we together on this?

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THAT, Clause 17 of the Bill be amended —

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 18. The justification is to expunge reference to the Accreditation Committee, which was deleted by the Committee.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Members, before I propose the Question to this, Hon. Millie and Hon. Washiali have proposed amendments to this. The Chair is proposing to delete the entire clause. If his carries the day, that will mean that you will have nothing to amend and your proposed amendments will fall by the way. We will deal with the Chair’s amendment, but just be warned that in the event that he succeeds, you will have nothing to amend.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. I support the proposed amendment. Even before they removed the

A certified version of this Report Accreditation Committee, the way the amendment was crafted was very confusing. I am still okay even if it is deleted. I am happy with that.

(Proposed amendment by Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona withdrawn) The Temporary Deputy Chairman (Hon. Christopher Omulele): Very well. Thank you, Hon. Millie. Let us have Hon. Washiali.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, my proposed amendment would only have been relevant if we would have carried my proposed amendment to Clause 7. Therefore, even if you deleted it, I would not have any problem.

(Question, that the words to be left out be

left out, put and agreed to)

Clause 19

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 19. The justification is that the provision of accrediting certificates is provided for under Section 10 (c) . So, it is already covered under that section.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: The same situation applies as with the previous clause. Hon. Millie, you have a proposed amendment. The Chair is proposing to delete. If he succeeds, you will have nothing to amend. Hon. Millie, I will give you an opportunity.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. My proposed amendment to Clause 19

(3)

was to do away with arbitrary powers. A deletion is okay for me.

Clause 20

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 20.

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The justification is that the provision on maintenance of accreditation was amended and reintroduced as Clause 10(d). So, it is covered under that section, which is a new clause.

(Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to)

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 21. The justification is that the provision on suspension or withdrawal of accreditation certificates was amended and reintroduced as Clause 10

(e)

, which is a new clause.

(Question, that the words to be left out

be left out, put and agreed to)

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Millie, you had an amendment, but I see you are at peace. Let us make progress.

Clause 22

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 22 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Remuneration of members of the Board, Committees, and the Accreditation Appeals Tribunal. 22. The Service shall pay such remuneration and allowances to the members of the board, committees, and the members of the Accreditation Appeals Tribunal as approved by the Cabinet Secretary upon the recommendation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The amendment is for clarity. Before Hon. Kimunya says that I am out of order, the amendment provides remuneration of the members of the board, committees and the Accreditation Appeals Tribunal.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman.

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(Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to) (Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 23. This amendment seeks to delete reference to Appeals Committee, which was deleted by the Committee. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman.

(Question, that the words to be left out be left out,

put and agreed to)

Clause 24

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 24. The amendment seeks to delete reference to the Appeals Committee, which was deleted by the Committee. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman.

(Question, that the words to be left out be left out,

put and agreed to)

Clause 25

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 25. The justification is to delete reference to the Appeals Committee, which was deleted by the Committee. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman.

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(Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to)

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 29 and substituting therefor the following new clause—

Accounts and audit. 29. (1) The Board of the Service shall cause to be kept all

proper books and records of account of the income, expenditure, No. 18 of 2012.

assets and liabilities of the Service in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act. No. 34 of 2015. (2) The accounts of the Service shall be audited and reported on in accordance with the provisions of Article 226 and 229 of the Constitution and the Public Audit Act.

The justification is to provide for proper book keeping, auditing of the services and correct a cross referencing error. It is for information because it is a new clause.

(Question, that the words to be left out be left out,

put and agreed to) Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

Clause 31

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 31 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Offence and general penalty. 31. (1) A conformity assessment body not being

A certified version of this Report accredited by the Service which makes any claim or uses any accreditation symbol in relation to any goods, processes, services, or facilities which may imply that the conformity assessment body is accredited when not being so accredited, commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings.

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

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Milemba Omboko, what is out of order?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. Precedents and record are good. When Hon. Kimunya came in the House, he raised a question of the new amendments and the procedure seems to have been established. So, I thought we should completely follow that so that in future, we stick to that. I need your guidance, please.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Milemba Omboko, you are quite in order that we should follow procedure. However, this is a substitution and not a new clause. So, the Chair is in order. He can move it. Hon. Members, let us make progress.

Clause 33

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Chair, you have an amendment to this clause. The system seems to have got tired of you. Use the microphone in front of you.

THAT, Clause 33 of the Bill be amended in sub clause (1) by—

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, is it new Clause 13 (5) (i) or (j) ? My eyesight is failing me.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: It is new clause 13

(5A)

.

It is not New Clause 13 (5A) . It is either New Clause 13 (5) (i) or (j) .

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 13 of the Bill be amended –

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, I beg to support the amendment by Hon. Millie. It brings some clarity on how a person can be removed from office rather than leaving it ambiguous. We now have it in the right sequence. Once we have (5A) , the subsequent amendment that refers to (5A) has some place to anchor on.

I support.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I beg to support. I thank Hon. Millie and Hon. Kimunya because this is fair for any work in the country. A proper procedure for removal of persons should be put in place other than using a global word “reasonable” which can depend on the person in office and the particular time the person is in office.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, as I had indicated much earlier, as a Committee, we totally agree with the amendment proposed by Hon. Millie Odhiambo. It brings clarity and certainty so that no mischievous person acting beyond their powers wakes up and fires a CEO. Even though I am told that it could as well be included in the contract, it is good to include it in the Act.

I support.

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(Question, that the new clause be read a Second Time, put and agreed to)

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

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Kimunya, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, as you will notice, there are new sub-clauses in 10, 11 and 13 by the Chair of the Committee. So, before we move to New Clause 14, we could perhaps exhaust 13 and the rest.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Hon. Kimunya, I am advised that those are sub-clauses. We will reach them.

There is a New Clause 13A. It is an additional clause that brings in the issue of a corporation secretary. We also have new sub-clauses (a) , (b) , and (c) under Clause 10 and Clause 11, which have not been prosecuted.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Let us make progress. Let us have the Chair move Clause 14

(3)

.

THAT, Clause 14 of the Bill be amended by inserting the following new sub-clause immediately after sub clause (2) —

“ (3) The Service shall ensure that the appointment of its staff reflects the ethnic, gender and regional diversity of the people of Kenya.”

It is straight forward. The Service shall ensure that the appointment of its staff reflects the ethnic, gender and regional diversity of the people of Kenya. It is well entrenched in the Constitution. But we said that it is important, for clarity, for it to be taken into consideration. We have seen other agencies, though it is clearly stated in the Constitution, not considering these factors sometimes. So, we said that it should be clearly stipulated.

(Question, that the new clause be

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read a Second Time, proposed) (Question, that the new clause be read a Second Time, put and agreed to)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. I seek for your guidance whether I have to move all of them at the same time.

The Temporary Deputy Chairman

: Let me just help you so that we can all make progress together. I direct that you move from 10A to 10E.

THAT, the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clauses immediately after Clause 10— 10A. (1) A conformity assessment body that seeks to be accredited shall apply to the Service for accreditation in the prescribed manner.

THAT, the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clauses immediately after clause 11— 11A. (1) An accredited body that is aggrieved by a decision of the Service may, by notice in writing to the Chief Executive Officer and upon payment of the prescribe fees, appeal against the decision within twenty-one days of being notified of the decision.

THAT, the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clause immediately after Clause 13—

The Corporation Appeals against the awards of the Accreditation Appeals Tribunal

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13A. (1) There shall be a Corporation Secretary who shall be appointed by the Board on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefor the following new schedule—

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[S.9(6)]

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting the Third Schedule and substituting therefor the following new schedule—

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THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by—

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(Title agreed to)

Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee doth report to the House its consideration of the Kenya Accreditation Service Bill (National Assembly Bill No.17 of 2018) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the President’s Memorandum on the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2019) and approved the same without amendments.

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : The Mover.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its…

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Hon. Washiali, you move for agreement with the report.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I request Hon. Kanini Kega to second.

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Hon. Kanini.

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I second.

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : We are going to defer putting the Question on this one until the next time when we have it on the Order Paper.

Chair, you may go to the next one.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Kenya Accreditation Service Bill (National Assembly Bill No.17 of 2018) and approved the same with amendments.

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Mover, Hon. Kanini.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. It is one year since the Bill was read here for the First Time. I would want, first of all, to thank the Committee for the tremendous work they did, including getting more information from other countries and going for benchmarking in the UK.

This is a new area. In Africa, it is only South Africa that has this kind of a Bill. So, the Committee went out of its way. I thank the Members, especially Hon. Oundo and Hon. Gichimu, who were tasked by the Committee to do the extra work.

I also thank the Members who contributed heavily on this, Hon. Millie, Hon. Washiali, Hon. Kimunya and the rest of the Members for the tremendous and insightful inputs they have given to us. With that, I ask Hon. Oundo to second

The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Let us have Hon. (Dr.) Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I also take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Committee, led by the Chair, Hon. Kanini Kega and our Vice-Chair, Hon. Cornelly Serem. I thank the Kenya National Accreditation Service (KNAS) as it is constituted for the invaluable information and additional data that they provided to enable us panel beat and come up with a legislation that truly reflects the current practices.

I sincerely thank Hon. Omulele, whom I consulted widely and seriously on this particular Bill. His input, even though it might not have been official, found its way somehow into the Bill. I trust that we got the country a Bill that will allow us to be members of the international trade and have confidence in the final products that hit our markets, be they medical or food, so that we can be safe and play in the international league in the international market.

Thank you. I second. Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) :

Yes, you are seconding.

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On a point of order. Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Hon. Kimunya, I have not put the Question. So, you can say something in a minute.

Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I want to put on record my appreciation for the work done by the Committee and this House on this very important Bill coming at a time when the quality of goods that get into this country has been in doubt. At least, now we can start some process of an international scale in terms of doing it. The Committee has done its job.

However, my disappointment is that the House is empty when we are discussing such a major issue. People then go out there and complain about quality control when they are not here on such issues, at least, to follow it up and tell the people out there. Next we will be agitating and saying that our people are being targeted because standards have been introduced and yet we are not in the House to legislate and help our people to conform with the new requirements.

I also acknowledge our ever watchful, Hon. Millie Odhiambo. We have come a long way in terms of going through the nitty-gritties within the Bills. I urge her to continue looking through these things because she helps us in terms of getting legislations into shape.

I beg to support. The Temporary Deputy Speaker (Hon. (Ms.) Soipan Tuya) : Very well. I agree with Hon. Kimunya. This is where the tyre meets the road in legislation. Your words are well taken.

I will give a discretionary two minutes to Hon. Junet.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to contribute. I want to thank the Committee for the good work they have done. This is a very important and timely Bill. It has come at a time when the country is seriously grappling with issues of standards. I also want to thank you for putting a lot of time in terms of chairing the Committee of the whole House. I also thank Hon. Millie Odhiambo, who has represented us very well as the minority side in making sure that all aspects in this Bill are looked at.

As you said, this is where the rubber meets the road. Legislation is core for Parliament. I want to thank all the Members who participated in making sure that this Bill goes through. This is one of the Bills that are going to make things better for this country.

With those few remarks, I support.

Order Members. The time