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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Parliament set for new constitution

Business

By The Standard Business | Aug 08, 2010

By PETER OPIYO

Parliament has laid down an elaborate plan in conformity with provisions of the new Constitution.

Already a sub committee has been set up to look at the Standing Orders (House rules of Procedure) to come up with a working paper of the rules by December.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende said a workshop for MPs is scheduled for this month to look into issues in the new Constitution that affects the Standing Orders.

“We have already set up a sub committee of the Standing Orders to come up with a working paper,” said Marende.

The laws for instance, provide for a quorum of not less than 30 MPs while the new Constitution states that a quorum for the National Assembly must be not less than 50 members while that of the Senate must be not less than 15 members.

Marende said the Old Chamber would also be refurbished to accommodate the 67 senators as parliamentary staff undergo training on how to manage a bicameral Parliament.

“We will refurbish the Old Chamber which we expect to be used by the Senators and our staff are also being trained on issues of bicameral Parliament,” said the Speaker.

US Government to assist

He said Parliament is already in talks with the US government to strike a deal so that parliamentary staff can be seconded to the country to study the operations of a two-Chamber Parliament. The US has the House of Representatives and the Senate.

A sizeable number of staff have been to the UK for a similar mission for the study of the operations of the House of Lords and House of Commons.

Marende said parliamentary Whips have also just returned from Australia where they were on a study tour of bicameral parliament.

And owing to the anticipated increased number of MPs and Senators, Marende said parliament has initiated talks with the government to avail resources that would also see the institution expand its staff establishment.

“We are in discussion with the government on issues of resources as pertain the increased number of staff, MPs and the coming in of Senators,” said Marende.