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Order Paper
The Order Paper is a schedule showing the sequence of the matters to be dealt with by the Senate at a Sitting, called, Orders of the Day. It is prepared by the Clerk of the Senate under the direction of the Speaker by the authority of the Senate Business Committee.
The Order Paper is, in fact, the agenda through which the proceedings of the Senate are closely steered.
Votes & Proceeding
The Votes and Proceedings is the precise summary of the proceedings of the Senate at each sitting. The summary contains a record of what was done or transacted at the sitting in the order in which they were dealt with or occurred. The sequence set out on the Order Paper is sometimes not strictly followed. Whenever this happens, the alteration is recorded, too. Nevertheless, there are some parts of the proceedings not recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
The parts of the proceedings not recorded in the Votes and Proceedings include, points of order on matters of procedure, the Speaker’s entry, withdrawal and departure from the Chamber and any action or noise by visitors.
Bills
A bill is a draft legislation for consideration by the Senate. After being approved by the National Assembly and the Senate, if it relates to a matter requiring consideration by both Houses, a bill is presented to the President for assent. Each senator will receive a copy of all bills which are for introduction in the Senate. A bill passes through several stages.
Statements
Constitute general pronouncements by any senator on issues of topical concern, or information by a designated member of the Senate Business Committee bringing to the attention of the Senate the business coming before the Senate the following week, or a statement by the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader, as the case may be, relating to their responsibilities in the Senate, or a statement sought by a senator from a committee chairperson relating to the matters under the mandate of the committee.
Motions
A motion is a self-contained proposal submitted for the approval of the Senate and drafted in such a way as to be capable of expressing a decision of the Senate. Save as otherwise provided by the Standing Orders, notice must be given by a senator of any motion which he or she proposes to move. Before giving notice of a motion, a senator must deliver to the Clerk a signed copy of the proposal. The Clerk submits the same to the Speaker, who may direct that it be altered or that it is inadmissible. When the motion is approved by the Speaker, the senator gives notice by reading it in the Senate when the Clerk calls “Notices of Motion”. Party-sponsored motions shall have precedence over all other motions on such days as the Senate Business Committee, in consultation with the Speaker, may determine, and in such order as the committee may determine, and subject thereto.
Petitions
The right to petition Parliament in a democracy is of immense importance for safeguarding the rights of the citizens. The Constitution of Kenya in Articles 37 and 119 gives a broader framework to any citizen a right to petition public authorities and in particular Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including to enact, amend or repeal any legislation. This can be done by any citizen or by a Member of Parliament on behalf of the citizen(s).
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