National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting

Hon. Members, as you are all aware, the House rejected the Motion on consideration of the Senate amendments to the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 12 of 2023) on Wednesday, 24th July 2024. This decision consequently referred the

Hon. Members, you will recall that the Houses of Parliament established the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) in August 2023. It was to, among other things, facilitate dialogue and consensus building, and recommend appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya. The Committee submitted its Report, containing various recommendations, to Parliament…

Standing Order 42 (1) relating to Messages from the President provides that “The Speaker shall read to the House any message from the President delivered to the Speaker for communication to the House.” In this regard, I wish to convey to the House that I have received two Messages from His Excellency the President, notifying of the nomination of persons for appointment as the Attorney-General and…

Chairperson, Select Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library. Is Hon. Epuyo Nanok the one? Or who is the Chairman? Leader of the Majority Party? Okay, go ahead. Give him the microphone.

[(Hon. Daniel Nanok spoke off the record)]

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library on its Consideration of the Public Participation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 52 of 2023) I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Co-Chairperson, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Voting of a Director General. Hon. (Dr) Pukose.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Joint Report of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health and the Senate Standing Committee on Health on Vetting a Nominee for Appointment as the Director- General for Health. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. Hon. Murugara.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Reports of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on its Consideration of the following:

The Departmental Committee on Health and Senate Standing Committee on Health.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health and the Senate Standing Committee on Health in its Report on the Vetting of a Nominee for

Appointment as the Director-General for Health, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 31st July 2024, and pursuant to section 16(2) of the Health Act, 2017 and section 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, this House approves the appointment of Dr Patrick Omwanda Amoth as the Director-General for Health. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the Budget Implementation and Monitoring for the Financial Year 2022/2023, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 31st July

Thank you. Next Order.

Hon. Umulkher Harun.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the rising insecurity in Garissa County. Insecurity in Garissa County has continued to spiral out of control and has become a cause for worry as it has impacted not only the safety but also the wellbeing of our…

Hon. Tongoyo, is that your docket? The Member for Garissa wants to say something on the same. We rarely allow this, but since you requested, I will give you one minute.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to add my voice to what the Hon. Member has raised. The situation is very bad. We have raised these issues and tried to solve them through the security agencies but have been unable to get support. You might know the delicate situation on the ground in terms of the fact that, that region itself was already insecure in terms of infiltration of Al Shabaab insurgents w…

Hon. Tongoyo, when can you bring the Statement?

Hon. Speaker, I ask to bring it next week. But having said this, it is good to appreciate that the issue being raised by the Members is of major concern. I remember sometime last month, there was even an attempt to have the team meet with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the issue, considering that majority of these security issues are so sensitive at times to be discussed in the open. I will brin…

Wednesday afternoon?

Together with many others. Yes, Wednesday afternoon.

Thank you. Hon. Kawanjiku. Move slightly away from the microphone so that we do not have the echo. Not too far and not too close.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I seek to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Committee on Delegated Legislation relating to claims that the Blue Nile Rolling Mills Limited, a company in the steel production industry and which operates under a Special Operating Framework Agreement (SOFA) was illegally granted tax exemptions. To la…

taxes, created an economic advantage for the company, distorted the local markets and threatened the sustainability of the local industry dealing with steel production. As you are aware, the law provides that tax exemptions under the Special Operating Framework Agreement can only be granted to companies incorporated for purposes of undertaking the manufacture of human vaccines and whose capital i…

Wapi Mhe. Chepkonga?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I have heard what the indomitable Member for Kiambaa, Hon. Kawanjiku has raised.

As a matter of fact, the Office of the Hon. Speaker has received several letters to this effect.

That makes it very serious. That even the Hon. Speaker has received additional information.

I have received complaints, not additional information. When can you bring the response?

Hon. Speaker, this is a very serious matter. These are the things we have been complaining about as a Committee, that people issue orders that have an effect of law without bringing them to the House. With that, I request you to give us two weeks and we will bring a report.

You have two weeks.

I thank you.

Hon. Robert Mbui. Before we go to Hon. Robert Mbui, let us have Esther Passaris.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 43, I wish to make a Statement regarding the commemoration of the Pan- African Women’s Day, 2024. Today, 31st July 2024, the African continent is observing the Pan-African Women’s Day 2024, under the theme: Gender, Environment and Justice. The Pan-African Women’s Day, held under the “African Women’s Call for Peace” initiative, kicks off a campaign in favou…

I have been requested by Hon. Sabina Chege to allow her to make a comment on that. Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support the Statement from Hon. Passaris on ‘African Women for Peace”. As we commemorate this day, I want to appreciate the role the women play in different societies in peace keeping. In countries where there is no peace, women and children get highly affected. I stand today to be counted as one of the women leaders who support peace. I congratulate His Excellency the…

Responses to Statements. Statement by Hon. Robert Mbui. Hon. Tongoyo, are you ready? Hon. Robert Mbui is not here.

Hon. Speaker, I need your indulgence considering that this is a matter of much interest. Do I present it now or wait when the Member is in the House?

Bring the Statement next week on Wednesday.

I am well guided.

Statement requested by Abdi Ali, Member for Ijara. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy, are you ready?

Yes, I am ready, Hon. Speaker.

Go ahead. Is the Member for Ijara here? Go ahead Hon. Kawaya.

Hon. Speaker, following a letter dated 11th June 2024, referenced NA/DDC/ENERGY/COR/2024/035, the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy requested the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to make submissions on a Statement Request by the Member for Lamu East, Hon. Ruweida Obo. Hon. Speaker, the Ministry has responded to the Statement Request as follows: On status of rep…

Thank you. Hon. Ruweida. Mhe. Ruweida Mohamed : Mhe. Spika, mimi sijaridhika. Badala ya Mwenyekiti kutumia aya nyingi na sentensi nyingi, kurasa kwa kurasa, nilitaka aniambie kwa sentensi moja kwamba stima inarudi Kiunga lini. Leo ni siku mia moja na tisa, miezi mitatu na zaidi, Kiunga hakuna stima. Na shida ni kuwa generator imeharibika. Kwani Kenya Power ni maskini sana hawawezi kukomboa meli k…

[(Lamu East, JP)]

Oh, my goodness. Hasira hasara.

[(Laughter)]

She is representing her people.

Yes, it is true, and I feel her pain, Hon. Speaker. The Minister had undertaken that commissioning works for the new generator would be complete by 30th June 2024. Obviously, that has not come to be. That is already a month late.

Did you say the generator is lying in Mombasa? Is it a transformer or generator?

It is a generator. This is an off-grid area. This area is not under the national grid. It is served by off-grid diesel generators.

Is the generator in Mombasa?

Yes.

What is it doing in Mombasa?

Hon. Speaker, the contractor has logistical issues of supply and installation. It is not in our hands. The contractor has been procured, as mentioned in the Statement that I have read out, to install and commission a 300 KVA generator. It appears that work is not yet complete. The undertaking was that the work would be completed in time.

Yes, Hon. Ruweida. Mhe. Ruweida Mohamed : Mhe. Spika, generator iko Mokowe. Kuna generator mbili. Nimeenda kwa ofisi zote za Kenya Power. Generator moja ndogo ya Kenya Power iko Mokowe na generator nyingine ya contractor iko Mokowe. Shida yao wanatafuta maafisa wa Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) wazibebe. Nyinyi hamna pesa za kuzibeba kweli? Si hiyo ni biashara? Si watu watalipwa?

[(Lamu East, JP)]

Hon. Speaker, you understand when a contract has been…

Yes, Hon. Elisha. Hold on, Hon. Kawaya.

Hon. Speaker, my Chairman was very candid that there is consultation with the Kenya Navy to be able to transport that generator to the island. That is what I wanted to clarify.

Order. Hon. Kawaya, this is a very simple matter. Liaise with Kenya Power and report back on Thursday next week that the generator has been transported to Kiunga and installed. You heard the Member say that patients are suffering because there is no electricity to freeze medicines required for certain ailments. Liaise with the agency and report back on Thursday that the generator has been transpor…

Thank you, I am well guided

Next is a Statement in response to a request by Hon. Joyce Kamene. Is the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure here? Hon. G.K., Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, respond to the Statement Request by Hon. Joyce Kamene. Are you ready?

Hon. Speaker, I have two Statements. I will start with the Statement Request by Hon. Kamene regarding the deplorable condition of the Mlolongo-Quarry-Katani Road. On Thursday, 7th May 2024, the Member for Machakos County, Hon. Joyce Kamene requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the deplorable condition of the Mlolongo…

Hon. Kamene.

Hon. Speaker, you have heard the Chair's answer. He has not given any solution. It is simple. Has the work of repairing this road started, especially the Mlolongo-Quarry-Katani Road? It is still impassable. It is in a bad state. I had also asked about the community road in Syokimau-Katani Road. This project was to be completed by mid-April but it has not been done yet. The Kenya Urban Roads Author…

and Chai Road, which is 600 meters. These three projects have been funded through the Fuel Levy Fund and are managed by KURA, Machakos office. We have serious challenges in the quality of work. We have raised these matters with the engineers at KURA. The contractor who is doing Airport Road Phase II is the same one who did Phase I, which was poorly done. My question is how come the same contractor…

Hon. Kamene, you are now debating instead of seeking clarifications.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

I only gave you opportunity to seek further clarification on the Statement issued.

Hon. Speaker, could the Chairperson clarify the status of these roads? Nothing is going on as we speak.

Hon. Chairperson.

Hon. Speaker allow me to remind the Hon. Member that the challenge that the Ministry is facing is inadequate funding. In the last financial year, the allocation to the road agencies was Ksh56 billion and only Ksh34 billion was availed through Exchequer Issues. Therefore, some of these challenges are beyond the agencies. Secondly, I believe that the roads in the Hon. Member’s county are some of th…

Thank you. The next response is by Hon. GK. Yes, Hon. Kamene.

Hon. Speaker, I am not talking about the roads that are yet to be funded. My concern is about the roads that have already been done but were done poorly. The Chairperson has stated that the Airport Road and the Mlolongo- Quarry-Katani Road were completed in 2019 but are impassable now. The quality of work is poor. Does it make sense that a road is constructed today and is impassable two years late…

On a point of order.

Yes, Hon. Dawood. What is your point of order?

Hon. Speaker, we invited Hon. Kamene to the Committee when the representatives of the road agencies appeared before us but she did not come. If she had been present, she would have had the opportunity to question the agencies. That would have been easier instead of her asking questions which the Chairperson cannot answer here. She should have made a point of attending the meeting we had with the r…

Well, she chose to come to the plenary. Hon. G K, you may proceed.

Hon. Speaker, should I move to the next one or dwell on this one?

Is Hon. Munyoro in the House?

He is not.

If he is not in the House, table the Statement. He will read it from the Table Office.

Hon. Speaker, I have been informed that Hon. Kihungi is sitting in for him.

Yes. Hon. Kihungi, you have the power of attorney on the Statement Request. Hon. GK, you may proceed.

Hon. Speaker, on 2nd May 2024, the Member for Kigumo, Hon. Joseph Munyoro, requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the status of Mau Mau Road in Kigumo Constituency. In the Statement Request, the Hon. Member, among other things, sought to establish—

I wish to inform the House that the road is part of Lot 2 of the Mau Mau Roads Project which is currently 52 per cent complete. A total of Ksh2.7 billion has been paid since the inception of the project with a pending bill of Ksh327 million as at April 2024. Regarding the plans that the Ministry has put in place for the resumption and completion of Mau Mau roads, the Ministry submitted that it is…

Yes, Hon. Kihungi.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand on behalf of Hon. Munyoro. The road passes from Ikumbi-Gacharage and then to my constituency at Ichichi-Kiruri-Wanjerere. The statement about the contractor is untrue because he did earth works in all sections of that road, hence the issue of maintenance is untrue. Already, the contractor has abandoned the site and the works. The contractor did earthworks along the…

Hon. GK, is that factual?

I agree with the Member that the road needs to be worked on, but the main issue here is funding. If the resources are not available, the Member will not be satisfied. In the course of time , funds will be availed to complete that road.

Thank you. Next Order.

THAT, the First Schedule to the Bill be amended—

Thank you very much. I beg to move:

THAT, the Second Schedule to the Bill be amended—

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I just want to comment on one aspect in which we have made a very painful decision. Aggregation centres are quite important when it comes to agricultural development in this country. But when you look at the losses we incur in terms of post-harvest, which is about 30 per cent of the produce, you will agree that the Ksh310 million be moved from aggregation centres to post-h…

Hon. Temporary Chairman, let me also support that particular amendment. As the Chairman has said, this is more towards settlement of pending bills. And many Kenyans, including Members who come from the grain basket of Kenya, especially from the South and North Rift parts, know that this year and last year because of the heavy rains, many farmers across the country could not dry their maize. Even y…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

This is not just addressing the post-harvest losses as Hon. Justice Kemei says, and you know he is a very good farmer from Kericho, but is also addressing health and hygiene matters. When we leave our farmers to spread their maize out in the fields, you expose that maize to toxins from vehicles on the road. Also, with the heavy rains that came this year, the prevalence of aflatoxins in maize was g…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman, for giving me the opportunity. The Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee has mentioned something about money they are keeping for the purpose of purchasing land which is meant to resettle a few people who were disadvantaged. He has not given us the exact amount, and we do not know who are these targeted groups and how are they going to be…

continued since then. It stopped, and it has not been revived. I hope we are going to be the beneficiaries in relation to what he has given. Thank you very much. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Member for Seme.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. Let me start with what Hon. K’Oyoo has said, that there are IDPs from western part of Kenya where there was a Petition that was brought to this House. The Petitions Committee recommended that those people be compensated and the funds be put aside. If this is a block fund, then is it possible that those people can also benefit from this? That is one. Two, on the…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I also rise to support the Chairman, Budget and Appropriations Committee on this particular amendment. Post-harvest losses have been a big challenge to our farmers, coming from that particular region. Ever since we started the issue of subsidised fertiliser and subsidised farm inputs, we have realised a reduction in import bill for the basic food, that is, Ugali…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman and Members who have enriched this debate. Hon. K’Oyoo, in terms of resettlement, the kind of money we are looking at is for the Kenyans who got affected during the El Nino rains. Mai Mahiu, for example, will get Ksh250 million. The Government is buying land just nearby, so that we do not also disrupt their social lives too grossly. There is also anot…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

There was one from Hon. Julius Rutto. I agree, what we are doing in agriculture is just realignments.

The last one is on block figures. The issue of block figures also comes up as a buffer for the budget, so that as you anticipate to go to another supplementary budget, there is a buffer somewhere. It is usually useful in the budget-making process, but you can access the budget reserve. In case of any emergency in any sector, only the Principal Secretary of the National Treasury needs to give autho…

Thank you very much. I beg to move: THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by deleting the expression “Eight Billion Three Hundred Ninety-Nine Million Ten Thousand and Thirteen Shillings” appearing before the words “the sum of” and substituting therefore the expression “Eight Billion Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Million Ten Thousand and Thirteen Shillings”. Question, that the words to be left out …

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

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

[(Clause 2 as amended agreed to)]

[(Clause 1 agreed to)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman. Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of the Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

[(The House resumed)]

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2024) and approved the same with amendments.

Chairperson.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Report of the Committee of the House on its consideration of the Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2024) . Before I call upon the Seconder, Members could have noted that in the programme on housing, there is a decrement of Ksh46 billion. Members n…

[(Question proposed)]

Yes, the Hon. Leader of the Majority Party.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank Members for the expedient consideration of this Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2024) . As we said when doing the Second Reading of this Bill, this is unprecedented in the history of Parliament and, indeed, our country. This is because, it is only within the first month of the new…

One moment Hon. Leader of the Majority Party. I need a Serjeant-at-Arms here, please.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I was saying that because we made a choice, we have to live with the consequences. We chose to forego part of the revenue-raising measures in this financial year. Therefore, the consequences are some of the losses that we have seen in terms of the budgetary allocation that we had which we have had to cut back to finance our Budget within the resources that will be a…

[(Applause)]

We have a country to guard and govern. We can only do so under the rule of law. As Members of Parliament, we can put this matter to rest.

Next Order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the Supplementary Appropriation No. 2 Bill (National Assembly No. 39 of 2024) be now read a Third Time. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we cannot belabour this anymore, but we must know that every Budget has a revenue and expenditure side. This country belongs to us and all the decisions we make affect all of us. This House is law-abiding and if the fall-back position…

[[The Deputy Speaker (Hon. Gladys Boss) left the Chair]]

Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a, the Member of Parliament for the father of the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to second the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (No. 2) , although there were major budget-cuts that we did not anticipate. I thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Chairperson of the Committee whom I represent where the father used to work. I have heard that we have set aside Ksh1.25 billion for resettling people who do not have h…

The School Feeding Programme will continue because the Committee has set aside Ksh3 billion to that effect. Without food children cannot study properly. Even though the schools in my region will not benefit, this is important to those benefitting. It is a good move. Children can now look forward to going to school because they know they will get a meal. This way, they can concentrate on their stud…

Is it the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Yes.

Hon. (Dr) Nyikal, it is only you who wants to comment. First and foremost, I have confirmed that we have quorum in the House for the purpose of deciding. Next Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

[(The Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed)]

Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund for nine Constituencies in Bungoma County for Financial Years 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 7th March

This is resumption of debate. Hon. Dekow Mohamed, Member for Garissa Township. He seems to be engaged elsewhere. Hon. Stephen Mogaka, Member for West Mugirango. He seems to be engaged elsewhere. Hon. Andrew Okuome, do you want to contribute to this? From the look of things, you seem not ready. Hon. Gideon Mulyungi, he is not in the House. He is attending to other duties. Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal, Me…

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me the opportunity to address this issue of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) . This is an extremely important Fund in this country. When I went through this Report, it looks like all the audit Reports that came to the House way back in 2013/2014 have not been scrutinised by the Committee. I, therefore, start by commending th…

example, a house burning, toilets sinking, or some other emergency for schools, they quickly respond. It is important that the definition of an emergency be broad so that the Fund and the committees are not restrained. As it is, when people are in need, they cannot use the Fund. If I may give an example, we had a Government school that had been constructed on land that had not been properly purcha…

Dr Nyikal, I see the yellow light is on and because of it you are rushing. Do not rush.

I was almost coming to the end. It has also been recommended that there should be better coordination with the Office of the Auditor- General. Once again, this is something that should be done. The committee and the fund manager should be sensitised and educated to respond to audit queries or management letters. Normally, they do not respond to management letters and that makes issues that could h…

I want to add you more minutes. How many more minutes? Less than 10 minutes.

Three minutes will be okay.

Give Hon. Dr Nyikal five more minutes.

[(Laughter)]

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have heard my colleagues complain about court decisions. I am not a lawyer but I have heard something to the effect that the courts or the judges are blind. The courts go by the letter of the law and laws are made by this House. If we are in a situation where courts are increasingly finding the laws that are made in this House unconstitutional, where does the blame lie? A…

Thank you, Dr Nyikal. The Member of Parliament for Luanda.

Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. We have had enough… The issue at hand has been well articulated. I request your indulgence and call upon the mover to reply.

Is Hon. Stephen Mogaka seeking to speak on this Motion? He is not in the House. Hon. Gideon Mulyungi, do you want to speak to this Motion? You are the mover?

Yes. So, can I reply?

Just a minute. The Speaker exercises discretion before that determination is made in the circumstances. Hon. Japheth Nyakundi, do you by any chance intend to speak to this particular Motion? Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo? Therefore, there being no further interest in terms of contributions to the Motion, may the mover now reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to reply. I want to start by thanking Members who have contributed to this Report positively from the time it was tabled in the House. I also want to thank my Committee Members for coming up with this Report. I thank the Office of the Clerk. The comments which have been raised have been noted, especially those that have been raised by Hon. (Dr) Nyikal. The…

Hon. Members, for the convenience of the House, Question to this Motion will be put when it will next be scheduled by the House Business Committee for consideration by the House. Next Order.

Chairperson of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture, you may move. Is the mover in the House? He is certainly attending to other State duties related to the ongoing vetting process or preparations thereof. We will step the matter down to a future date. Next Order.

Chairperson of the Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library to move. He is also out of the House on other State duties related to the matter I mentioned with regard to the previous order. This particular business will also be stepped down for consideration by the House when it will next be scheduled by the House Business Committee. Next Order.

This one should be moved by the Leader of the Majority Party as the co-sponsor. The Leader of the Majority Party is a member of the Committee on Appointments, which is meeting as we speak to prepare for the important State matter of consideration and vetting of the newly nominated Cabinet Secretaries. So, I step

down this particular business to the next time it will be scheduled for consideration by the House Business Committee. (Bill deferred) Next Order.

Do we have the Chairperson of the Public Petitions Committee? This is what happens to Parliament when the entire Cabinet is being reconstituted. This particular Order will be stepped down for consideration by the House when the House Business Committee will next schedule it. Next Order.

Do we have the Chairperson of the

but we are also a House of rules. So, the matter will be scheduled by the House Business Committee. As usual, I have no doubt in my mind that you will duly discharge your duty as the Chair of that important Committee on behalf of the House.