Communicating the Vote by Acclamation in Kenya Parliament: What does the Speaker Hear and whether it promotes democracy
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Daystar University, School of Law
Abstract
Distinguished Communication Scholar, Donald K. Smith (2013) asserts that “communication is what is heard, not only what is said. This assertion is in congruence with the communication process and models which appreciate the various elements that play a pivotal role in effective communication. One key determinant of effective communication is whether what the audience speaker hears and understands, is close or exact as what the source has said.
This is the intended discourse of this paper, having in mind the Kenyan Parliament. After key issues have been debated, the speaker normally calls the house to vote on the motion. More often than not, the vote is by acclamation. And the decision is made by the speaker whether the AYEs or NAYs have it. This means that the decision is largely dependent on what the speaker hears, irrespective of how loud the AYEs or NAYs shout.
In view of the foregoing and considering that members of parliament are the representatives of the people of Kenya, the mode of voting and how it is communicated is paramount. The fate of the sovereign will of the people and the promotion of democratic ideals depends on what the speaker hears through this mode of communicating the vote. The decision of the speaker further determines the extent to which the national values and principles of governance are upheld.
It is therefore critical to examine this mode of communicating the vote with the following issues in mind; extent to which it realizes the sovereign will of the people; democratic ideals, constitutional values and principles of governance and established model(s) of effective communication, this paper scrutinizes select decisions that have been arrived at based on this approach and the significance of the same.
Description
Conference Presentation
Keywords
Vote, Acclamation, Kenya Parliament, Speaker, Democracy
Citation
Kethi, Kilonzo “Communicating the Vote by Acclamation in Kenya Parliament: What does the Speaker Hear and whether it promotes democracy” Paper presented at the 2nd Daystar University Annual Conference (22nd – 23rd June 2022).