Parliament gets Sh922 million new chamber

BY PETER OPIYO

Members of Parliament whose conduct displeases National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende will have their microphones cut off at the touch of a button.

No more will the Speaker have to shout himself hoarse to get the attention of the House with the famous words, “Order! Order!” thanks to a new technology in the new Chamber.

Once he overrules a member, the Speaker can disconnect the offending MP’s microphone from his chair. This will target those who breach House rules such as making unsubstantiated allegations or raising frivolous points of order. MPs who are digitally challenged might have it rough, as members must login to activate their microphones and address the House.

Such MPs will be dazzled by the sheer array of communication technology meant to usher them into the digital age, and make their work easier.

Those with computers or tablets like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Pad or Kindle can access the Internet using the secure virtual private network and the provided logins.

Jumping to get the attention of the Speaker has also gone out the door, as MPs must now press a buzzer to his attention.

Details of the changes quickly became evident as excited MPs moved into their new home on Tuesday, a spanking new chamber that cost taxpayers a record Sh950 million.

The MPs have until January 14 when their terms expire to enjoy the ultramodern facilities furnished with very comfortable red leather seats that cost Sh70 million in total.

Change homes

It is a major transition for the MPs as they change homes, moving from the Old Chamber they have been using for the last two years to their new home.

During the opening ceremony for the new chamber Tuesday, some MPs struggled to operate the communication system. Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta was tickled and could be seen giggling as Chris Obure struggled to operate his microphone.

This is the first major renovation Parliament has undertaken since independence. Initially Parliament used to sit in the Old Chamber since the number of MPs was not more than 200.

During the 6th Parliament in 1988 to 1992, the number of MPs was increased to 202 with 188 elective, 12 nominated and two ex officio members.  In 1997 this rose to 210 for elective seats bringing the number to 222. Following the Promulgation of the new Constitution, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following the boundary changes, increased the number by creating another 80 elective seats.

Transaction of business

With the new Chamber, officially opened by President Kibaki, transaction of business in the House went digital, but MPs experienced challenges that come with such new ventures.

After the President had cut the tape signaling the opening of the Chamber, it was the turn of National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende to start off the special session, and he did so with a mastery of all things digital by asking Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim to login and address the House.

Every member’s table is fitted with a computer monitor that requires a login card and personal identification number (PIN) to turn on the microphones. The Speaker receives the request on his monitor and gives the MP the floor.

That there will be challenges was evident as the House clerks took Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim through his paces.

“This is the problem of technology but we’ll get used to it,” he remarked.

The new Chamber also comes with a public address system and electronic voting, eliminating the use of paper ballots.

Better coverage

Work on the facility began in April 2010 and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Patrick Gichohi said the refurbished Chamber would provide for multimedia digital services to facilitate better coverage of House proceedings.

He said renovation works on the Old Chamber to accommodate members of the Senate who are to be elected on March 4 next year will begin soon and should be completed by January next year. “The PSC will undertake renovation of the Senate Chamber and offices for leadership of both Houses in the next phase of our 2008-2018 strategic plan. We will endeavor to complete this renovation by January 2013 ahead of the convening of the 11th Parliament,” said Mr Gichohi. Kibaki was also handed his login card by the Speaker and which he used to activate his microphone was activated. The picturesque horseshoe design of the new Chamber gives MPs greater sitting space, ambience and personal comfort, with specially designed slots for persons with physical disabilities.

Additional members

It also caters for live broadcast of Parliamentary proceedings and the anticipated increase of members following the creation of 80 additional constituencies and the 47 women representatives from the counties.

The horseshoe design borrowed from the German Bundestag and the Dodoma-based Tanzanian Parliament, has between 352 individualized seats for MPs, and 20 mobile seats to cater for any eventuality.

The retractable seats were supplied by the Prisons Department and Marende said the cost was far much less than Sh167 million quoted by others who bid for the contract.

Apart from the MPs, there is a seating capacity of 600 for the media.  public, diplomats and those occupying the Speaker’s gallery. Robotic cameras and TV monitors also dot the Chamber to ensure members comfortably follow the proceedings of the House in real time. The Chamber has inbuilt radio and TV broadcasting studios transmitting live feeds from the floor. It also has digital congress system that provides for public address, an electronic voting component and login that is useful for collecting statistical data such as Members’ attendance.