The National Assembly continued with debate on the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Bill seeks to amend the Climate Change Act of 2016 to provide for regulation of the carbon markets.

This provision will provide the legal framework for carbon trading which was lacking in the law enacted in 2016 to enhance response to climate change through mechanisms for a low carbon climate resilient environment. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Hon. Soipan Tuya, has apprised the National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill 2023.

The Committee chaired by Hon. David Gikaria (Nakuru East) heard that the objective of the Bill, sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichungw’ah (Kikuyu), is to legislate on carbon, carbon rights, carbon markets and trading.

The National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration chaired by Hon. Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri0 has been told the high cost of production and manufacturing is affecting the country’s ability to attract investors. 

This is according to the Principal Secretary, State Department of Trade, Mr. Alfred K’Ombudo, who appeared before the Committee. 

However, Mr. K'ombudo told Members that the Ministry had put in place measures to address the challenge and position Kenya for investors to locate it as their destination within the East Africa Community (EAC) and globally.

Members of the National Assembly have condemned the recent attack of Hon. Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga County) in Kerugoya Town.

Hon. Maina, who was on foot on a meet the people tour in the town on Tuesday morning was attacked by people who allegedly wanted to block her from addressing residents.

The Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung'wa  told the House that the Member is in a stable condition after having been taken to hospital for treatment. 

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been told that the Ministry of Defense signed contracts for amounts above the actual funds received for various projects. This has resulted in unbudgeted expenditure of Kshs 1,429,858,357.00.

The Principal Secretary for Defense Principal, Hon. Patrick Mariru, appeared before the Hon. John Mbadi-led Committee, was asked to explain why the Ministry engaged in implementation of costly projects that had not been budgeted for.

Hon. Protus Akuja (Loima) has raised concerns about the plight of 41 Kenyan herders from Turkana County who are serving jail sentences of between eight and 40 years in Uganda.

Hon. Akuja, who was presenting a public petition on the matter before the National Assembly told the House that the herders were court martialed in Uganda, despite protest from Kenyan authorities.

The National Assembly’s Committee on Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation held a meeting with the State Department of Water and Sanitation and representatives of the Judiciary and the National Treasury to discuss the Water Amendment Bill, 2023. This Bill seeks to integrate Public Private Partnerships (PPP) within the water sector.

Under the stewardship of Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPISFC) convened today with Kimani Wamatangi, Governor of Kiambu County. This summons was prompted by the Governor's failure to heed an earlier invite from the committee.

The Joint National Assembly Ad hoc Committee of Inquiry into the activities of the foreign Company Worldcoin, kicked off its investigation with a meeting to outline its Terms of Reference, as well as to determine potential experts and witnesses to appear before it.

The National Assembly has hosted a delegation from the Mozambican Parliamentary Committee on Defence, Security and Public Order.

The Delegation, which is on a benchmarking mission in the country, held separate meetings with the National Assembly Liaison Committee led by Hon. Martha Wangare (Gilgil), as well as Members of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech (Belgut), and that of Administration and Internal Security, led by Vice-Chair Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dido Rasso (Saku).

Members of Parliament have said the fight against corruption requires more than just goodwill;  it demands tangible and demonstrable actions from the nation's leadership.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure chaired by Hon. George Kariuki (Ndia) has been informed that the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) lost Kshs. 91,245,000 in the leasing of ten parcels of land.

According to a report by the Auditor General over 21 million shillings collected from land rates were never banked.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning met with the Capital Markets Authority represented by the chairman, Mr. Ugas Sheikh- Mohamed and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Wyckliffe Shamiah for the ongoing public participation meetings by the Committee. 

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang'ula, has directed a Joint Ad hoc Committee to investigate the activities of the cryptocurrency project Worldcoin and report to the House within 42 days.

The Joint Committee led by Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West) will focus on examining the operations of Worldcoin in Kenya. It will engage with relevant parties, such as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with pertinent mandates.

The Senate Speaker Rt Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi EGH has supported calls to grant the County Assemblies financial autonomy saying the action will enable County Assemblies undertake their programmes in an ideal environment.

Speaker Kingi who was speaking during the official closing ceremony of the Devolution Conference at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu commended the County Governments comprising the Executive and the County Assemblies for their exemplary work that he said has enhanced implementation of Devolution for the benefit of Kenyans.

The Parliament of Kenya is set to host the Sixth Annual Conference for the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices later this month. The forum which is held in conjunction with the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) is scheduled to be officially opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula.

The Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has assured Kenyans that the Senate will continue protecting and promoting Devolution as is stipulated in the 2010 Constitution.

In a submission given on his behalf by Nyandarua County Senator John Methu during the closing ceremony of the Devolution Conference at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu, Sen. Cheruiyot commended stakeholders who took part in the conference assuring them that all the proposals and recommendations noted during the conference will be addressed fully for the benefit of Kenyans.

The Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has assured Kenyans that the Kenya Kwanza Administration will keep the trend of disbursing County Funds in time to enable Counties discharge their mandate without financial challenges.

Speaking when he presided over the closing ceremony of the Devolution Conference at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, the Deputy President expressed the government`s commitment to supporting Devolution appealing to the Governors to expend those resources prudently for the benefit of Kenyans.