The Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations met with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma today to deliberate on the county government of Busia's low expenditure on development projects. 

Senate invited the Bungoma County boss to explain the variance in the approved budget for development and subsequent supplementary budget and the gap in development and expenditure budget allocation for the 2022/2023 Financial Year.

National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has urged the House leadership to give priority to pending legislative business as the year comes to an end.

Speaking on Monday at the during the House leadership retreat in Naivasha, Speaker Wetang’ula emphasized the need to ensure House business was completed on time.

After nearly three decades of waiting, former employees of Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) face fresh obstacles in securing KES 204 million in unpaid dues, as Cabinet Secretaries and other government officials sidestep accountability, prompting sharp criticism by members of the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.

Hon. Julius Melly has revealed the state of affairs at Moi University. Speaking during a session of the National Assembly on Friday, 18th October 2024, Hon. Melly, Chairperson, Education Committee, informed lawmakers of the university’s financial woes, citing mismanagement of funds, insolvency, and a crippling wage bill that has forced the institution to seek urgent financial aid from the government.

Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have questioned the State Department on Immigration over the delay in issuance of ID cards to students which has hindered university students from accessing loans and scholarships.

In a meeting chaired by Hon. Julius Melly, PS Immigration Julius Bitok assured lawmakers that delays in the issuance of Maisha Number identity cards were being addressed.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Wetang'ula has appointed nine Members of the National Assembly to serve in a mediation Committee of the Division of Revenue (Amendment), Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 38 of 2024).

This is following the National Assembly’s rejection of the Senate amendments to Bill on the 16th of October 2024.

Members of the National Assembly have approved the Mediated Version of the Sugar Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 34 of 2022), which seeks to revitalize Kenya’s sugar industry.  

Addressing the House on 17th October 2024, Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, Chairperson of the Mediation Committee on the Sugar Bill said, “This Bill introduces comprehensive reforms, including the establishment of the Kenya Sugar Board, designed to regulate, develop, and promote the industry. It also defines sugar catchment areas.”  

Sen. Samson Cherarkey (Nandi) has raised concerns about the indefinite closure of Moi University due to a prolonged industrial strike by workers over alleged mismanagement of the university.

While requesting for a Statement from Standing Committee on Education on the floor of the House this afternoon, the Legislator requested the Committee to report to the House on the current financial status of Moi University and provide reasons for the delayed payment of salaries and failure by the university to remit third party deductions of more than Kshs 4.1 billion. 

Senate Committee on Energy chaired by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga held a meeting with Kenya Association of Manufacturers. 

The meeting was to discuss the role of the manufacturing sector in energy space and the promotion of sustainable energy use in Kenya. 

The acting Chief Executive of the Association, Mr. Tobias Alando said that manufacturers consume up 67% of the electricity produced in the country with large commercial and industrial consumers being the major users of electrical energy. 

Senate Standing Committee on Energy chaired by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga today met with Africa Smart Meters Association led by its chairman Charles Kaloki and Secretary General James Ngomeli.

Mr. Kaloki said that most of the so-called manufacturers in the industry are actually assemblers, with a low percentage of local content, which limits job generation. 

The local smart meter companies illustrate the current landscape of assembly-focused operations rather than true manufacturing in the smart metering sector.

The Senate has upheld the impeachment Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua by the National Assembly and voted to remove him from office.

The outcome of the vote, taken late in the night, is the first time in the history of Kenya that the holder of the Office of the Deputy President has ceased to hold office through a trial borne out of impeachment proceedings.

The 67 lawmakers of the Senate found the DP guilty on five grounds but absolved him on six charges. 

Hon Mwengi Mutuse, the sponsor of the Special Motion that saw Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeached by the National Assembly, has told the Senate that he is not an investigator and his aim is to subject the country’s second in command to take political responsibility for his action.

The Member of Parliament told the House that the purpose of his push to have the Deputy President removed from Office was neither to prove criminal or civil culpability.

The National Assembly is expected to continue prosecuting its case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua this morning, on the second day of the hearing on his impeachment trial.

Speaker Amason Kingi adjourned the hearing on the first day, Wednesday 16 October, after the National Assembly called two of its four witnesses.

The first witness to take the stand was Hon Mwengi Mutuse, the Kibwezi West MP, who was the mover of the Motion followed by Dr Andrew Mulwa who briefly served as the acting CEO of the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in which he sought to bar Senior Counsel James Orengo from representing the National Assembly in his impeachment trial.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has objected to a request by the National Assembly to have senior officials in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) saying the request will irredeemably prejudice the trial against him.

The Deputy President said the request was against the provisions of Article 25 of the constitution on fair trial and wondered why neither the EACC nor the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had been invited to investigate some of the criminal allegations levelled against him in the trial.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has categorically denied all 11 charges brought against him in an impeachment Motion initiated by Kibwezi West MP Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse. The Motion, which sailed through the National Assembly endorsed by 282 MPs, accuses Gachagua of gross misconduct and violations of the Constitution. 

Kenya’s preparations to host the 14^th Edition of East Africa Community Inter-Parliamentary Games (EAC-IPG) to be held in Mombasa County from December 6 to December 18, 2024 is on track.

In a significant decision, Senators voted to uphold a preliminary objection that effectively terminated the impeachment proceedings against Kericho County Governor, Dr. Erick Mutai.

A total of 34 Senators voted in favour of the objection raised by Governor Mutai's legal team, led by Counsel Katwa Kigen while 10 Senators opposed it.

Kericho County Governor Hon (Dr) Erick Mutai has denied all the charges brought against him by the Kericho County Assembly as his impeachment hearing kicked off before the Senate, Monday morning. Appearing before Senators on the first day of the proceedings, Governor Mutai rejected every accusation read to him by Clerk of the Senate Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye, asserting his innocence in the face of allegations that threaten his leadership.

The Senate is set to commence impeachment proceedings against Kericho County Governor Dr Erick Kipkoech Mutai this Monday, 14th October 2024. The Senators will be tasked with determining the validity of various charges brought against Governor Mutai, including gross violations of the Constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct.