Caroline Wafula
20 August 2008
Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga will soon face MPs to answer their questions every week after lawmakers approved a proposal to set aside the Prime Minister's Question Time.
Mr Odinga has previously requested for such an opportunity, which will be modelled along the lines of the British House of Commons.
This is among other provisions Members of Parliament are expected to adopt in the ongoing overall review of the rules and procedures of Parliament, referred to as the Standing Orders of Parliament.
Under the new proposal, the PM will be allocated 45 minutes every Wednesday at 3.15pm when the Speaker of the National Assembly shall interrupt the Business of the House to allow for the PM's time.
Apart from making a statement on Government issues, the PM may also use this time to answer questions that may be put to him by MPs.
In his absence, a Deputy PM designated by the PM may answer questions or make a statement under the same provisions.
The proposal is contained in a draft of the proposed Standing Orders prepared by the departmental committee on Standing Orders.
MPs began a two-day workshop at a Nairobi hotel on Wednesday to deliberate on the proposed amendments, and are expected to finalise on them today to pave the way for their official adoption when the House resumes in October.
Mr Odinga is scheduled to preside over the closing ceremony of the workshop on Thursday afternoon.
The workshop has been organised and hosted by the Parliamentary Service Commission and facilitated by the Kenya National Assembly in collaboration with the Parliamentary Strengthening Programme implemented by the State University of New York (SUNY-Kenya).
The review and amendment of the Standing Orders is being carried out at the backdrop of a paradigm change in the country's political system following events after the last General Election.
Among others, the Constitution was amended to provide for a Grand Coalition Government that saw the position of the PM introduced in the country's political system.
A part from the PM's Time, there are also proposals to open up the proceedings and activities of the departmental committees of Parliament to the public, increasing the number of parliamentary committees and expanding their mandate as well as enhance the involvement of MPs in the budget making process.
Female MPs will also be able to carry their handbags into the House if the new recommendations are adopted.
Also expected to be adopted at the end of the MPs' workshop today are provisions for live broadcast of House proceedings as well as provisions for security checks for MPs and prohibition of offensive weapons in the Chamber.
Another proposed amendment in the Standing Orders is the replacement of the word 'ruler' with the word 'head of state.'
Speaking during the opening of the workshop on Wednesday, Speaker Kenneth Marende said that Standing Orders exist to ensure smooth and orderly functioning of the institution.
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