National Assembly · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Members debated the President’s memorandum proposing constitutional amendments, focusing on gender representation, the NG‑CDF/NG‑AAF funding mechanisms, and the creation of an Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. Hon. Dorice highlighted women’s issues and supported the motion with minor reservations, while Hon. Mutuse urged committee handling and stressed the need for institutional mechanisms for the opposition. Hon. Mbadi expressed strong opposition to the motion and criticised the majority party’s intentions, adding a confrontational tone. Members highlighted the need to constitutionally anchor key development funds such as the NG‑CDF, Senate Oversight Fund and NGAAF to ensure continuity and accountability, while also calling for a clearly defined Leader of the Opposition to strengthen parliamentary oversight. The debate also addressed the importance of gender representation, noting progress in women’s participation but urging the entrenchment of the two‑thirds gender rule, and emphasized the value of direct cabinet secretary engagement in Parliament for better oversight. Hon. Timothy Kipchumba backs the President’s proposal to amend the Constitution to guarantee a 33% women quota, entrench key development funds and create an official leader of opposition, urging a sunset clause and a referendum. Hon. Maalim Farah reflects on past constitutional reforms, cautions against political expediency, and stresses the need for careful deliberation on governance structures, devolution and the amendment process.
Proceed on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the House:
Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia. Okay. The Member is not present. We can move to the next Order.
[(Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia was not in the Chamber)]
The next Statement is also by Eng. Hon. Nzambia. We can move to the next Order. He is not present.
Hon. Owen Baya, on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion:
THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97(1), this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party, or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows: a maximum of forty-five (45) minutes for the Mover in moving and fifteen minutes (15) in replying; a maximum of thirty (30) minutes for the Chairperson of the releva…
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second. Thank you.
Based on the mood of the House, I will propose the Question.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills not sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party, or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows: a maximum of three hours and thirty minutes with not more than thirty
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I second.
I will now propose the Question.
[(Question proposed)]
Do you want me to put the Question?
Yes.
It is the mood of the House.
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on any Motion, including a Special Motion be limited in the following manner: a maximum of three hours with not more than twenty (20) minutes for the Mover; ten (10) minutes for each other Member speaking, except t…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to second.
Is it the mood of the House that I propose the Question?
Yes.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in debate on Reports of Audit Committees be limited as follows: a maximum of sixty (60) minutes for the Mover in moving and thirty (30) minutes in replying; a maximum of ten (10) minutes for any other Member speaking, except t…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I second.
[(Question proposed)]
I take it that it is the mood of the House that I proceed to put the Question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on Other Committee Reports, including a Report of a Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament or any other Report submitted to the House for which limitation of time has not been specified, shall be limited as …
[(if the Committee Report is not moved by the Chairperson of the relevant Committee)]
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question.
I can see the mood of the House is that the Question be put.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon Baya.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, noting that Standing Order 24 (6) provides that debate on a Motion on the Address by the President shall be limited to not more than four sitting days, and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that debate on a Motion on the Address by H.E. the President under Article 132 (1) (a) of the Con…
values; the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations to speak on the report submitted under Article 132(1)(c)(iii) of the Constitution relating to the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the Republic; and the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs to speak on the report submitted unde…
Hon. Suleka.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Engineer Thuddeus Nzambia, Member for Kilome, I will indulge you. Since you were not present when we started earlier, and because we do not have too much business right now, I am going to indulge you. Hopefully, that will not happen going forward. Where is Engineer Nzambia? You may proceed.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following important Motion that touches on all the 290 constituencies in our country: THAT, aware that Article 57 of the Constitution outlines the measures to be taken to ensure the rights of elderly persons; noting that the elderly persons, particularly from vulnerable backgrounds who are in dire need across the country require financial support f…
technical mode of fund transfer development, digital registration of elder persons, inadequate monitoring, and irregular receipts of funds, this House resolves that the national Government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection undertakes continuous and timely registration of elderly persons under the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme.
Thank you. We can move to the next order.
Hon. Members, time being 1.00