FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We want to give simple definitions to allow people to get acquainted with the legislative process in County Assemblies and National Parliament.

These are questions mostly asked by people with little information on Parliamentary Affairs

A motion is a proposal by a Member or a party that the Assembly do something, order something to be done or express an opinion with regard to some matter.

It may, however, also be a proposal that the Assembly discuss some matter.

An amendment Motion is a subsidiary motion to the main motion, which proposes to change it (the main Motion).

A Statement is a request for information by a Member from the Chairperson of a Sectoral Committee or Leader of the Majority Party.

As the principle officer of the parliament, the clerk’s main role is to give expert advice and guidance to the speaker and members of parliament on the rules and practices of parliament.

It is a Draft Bill, awaiting or undergoing pre-publication scrutiny, not yet published.

Making a Motion: Moving, Seconding

Proposing the Question: Allowing debate

Putting the Question: Deciding

a) Draft Bill by a Member: Citizen, Own Initiative

b) Draft Bill sponsored by Government (Art. 183 (2)): Marshalled by Member or Committee Chair


c) Draft Bill sponsored by a Committee: Through a Member

This is an ornamental staff crafted in brass that was donated to the Parliament of Uganda by the British House of Commons and is a symbol of the power and authority of Parliament.

Essentially, there are two types of motions: –


a) Draft resolution- when a motion has its object that the Assembly take a decision on a matter.


b) Subject for discussion-such a motion provides an opportunity for the assembly to debate a particular topic without the Assembly being required to take a decision.

A Notice of Motion is a signifier of intent by a Member to move a motion.

The clerk to parliament is the Chief Executive Officer (Accounting Officer) of the parliament and is the main adviser to the speaker on matters of procedure in the House, and on administrative matters.

Means a Bill dealing with taxes, charges on a public fund, the appropriation, receipt, custody, investment or issue of public money, the raising or guaranteeing of any loan or its repayment or matters incidental to any of those matters.

A Bill is a proposed law which has been presented to Parliament either by the Government (through the relevant Minister), or by any Member of Parliament (Private Member’s Bill).

Parliament is a Legislative body that comprises elected and appointed representatives that meet to draft, debate and pass laws for the good governance of the county.

A written prayer to the Assembly by a member of the public requesting the Assembly to consider any matter within its authority, including enacting, amending or repealing any of its legislation.

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The Team At The Legislative Centre

Qualified Public Policy and Legal Experts

Our team comprises a pool of individuals with proven expertise in the field of public policy analysis, Political Science, International Relations, Law, legislative Drafting and Analysis, M & E, and Parliamentary Practice.

Over 4 years’ experience

The legislative Centre has been working in the legislative field for over four years. During this time the consultancy has been able to build capacity of several County Assemblies in the areas of parliamentary practice and has produced knowledge documents (legislative manuals, guides and reports) for the advancement of an effective legislative landscape in Kenya.