The Senate Ad Hoc Committee that’s pushing for Compensation to the Kenyan Victims of the 1998 US Embassy Bombing joined survivors today at the 7th August Memorial Park to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terror attack. 

While addressing the victims and their families, Machakos Senator, who is the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, called on the Kenyan Government to also look at the plight of the survivors by offering them employment opportunities and subsidized medical treatment. 

Several key elements of the devolved functions accounting for Ksh. 272.2 Billion are still run by the National Government ten years since Devolution kicked off in Kenya.

This is according to the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRCT) that appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations.

IGRCT's delegation led by its Chairperson CPA, Kithinji Kiragu told Senators that considerable resources needed to fund devolved functions still remain in the hands of the National Government.

Plans are underway to lift the moratorium on mineral mining that has been in existence since 2019. This is according to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Salim Mvurya, who appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining over the weekend.

The Committee chaired by Hon. David Gikaria (Nakuru East) heard that the rationale behind the issuance of the moratorium was to safeguard Kenya’s interests in mining following speculation on availability of substantial mineral deposits.

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee chaired by Hon. Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine) met with NGCDF Board representatives to deliberate on the Constituencies' Budget Ceiling for the Financial Year 2023/2024.

The NGCDF Board presented a detailed analysis of the proposed budget ceiling. During the deliberations, Members engaged in discussions to ensure a balance between various constituency needs and ensure an equitable distribution of resources.

The National Assembly Committee on Labour, chaired by Hon. Erick Karemba met with Hon. Benjamin Mejjadonk (Embakasi Central), sponsor of Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, (2023).

The proposed amendments seek to curb the extension of years in service for  civil servants past the mandatory retirement age of 60 years. 

According to Hon. Mejjadonk, the amendments are meant to increase opportunities for citizens below the age of 60 years and to compel civil servants to retire upon attaining the retirement age.

The Parliament of Kenya is set to host the Sixth Annual Conference in Mombasa later this month. The forum which is held in conjunction with the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) will be coordinated by the Parliamentary Budget Office and is expected to focus on experience sharing on how the power of the purse can be used effectively to tackle Africa’s development challenges and the future of Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs).

The Senate Board of Management, led by The Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, visited the Turkana County Assembly in a bid to inspect the level of preparedness and plans on the ground in readiness to hold the Senate Plenary and Committee sittings dubbed Senate Mashinani, scheduled from the 25th to 29th September, 2023.

It was a solemn but hopeful day at the August 7th Memorial Park in Nairobi when the Senate Ad Hoc Committee that is Pushing for Compensation to the Kenyan Victims of the 1998 US Embassy Bombing attended the Victims Prayer Day. 

The Ad Hoc Committee attended the event to meet with all the Victims of the terrorist attack and listen to their side of the story, before embarking on a visit to the United States of America to meet with the Members of the US Congress and the Senate to lobby for their compensation. 

The Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Technology, led by the Chairperson Senator Allan Chesang, has resolved to conduct an inquiry into the operations of World Coin’s cryptocurrency project in Kenya. 

This comes following a public outcry on the blockchain company’s operations in the country and the contradicting statements given by the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government about the same. 

Marsabit County Senator Mohamed Chute sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Energy on the status of electricity connections in various parts of Marsabit County.

Today, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPISFC), chaired by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, convened to address concerns outlined in the Auditor General's Report regarding Nzoia Water and Sewerage Company Limited's Financial Statements for the financial years 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021. In attendance was Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who responded to the raised questions.

The Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism has promised to engage the leadership of the the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on ways they can improve trade and investments in the counties.

At a meeting between the two, the Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Lenku ole Kanar Seki, promised to involve KNCCI in deliberations concerning the National and County business and economic outlook.

Hon. Mithika Linturi, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development has informed Lawmakers that 500,436 farmers in 40 counties have accessed 3,302,683 bags of subsidised fertiliser.

In an appearance before the Members of the National Assembly to respond to Questions, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Mithika Linturi was put to task by Legislators. 

Keiyo South MP, Hon. Gideon Kimaiyo raised concerns regarding the cost of top-dressing CAN fertilizer and its distribution, prompting insightful responses from government officials.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has officially declared the vacancy for the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the 13th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Kenyan Chapter membership.

The Public Debt and Privatization Committee led by Hon. Abdi Shurie (Balambala) has met with officials from the Office of the Auditor-General, who briefed the Committee on the loans that have acquired but have not been disbursed, as at 30th June 2022.

In their submission, the Auditor General's team told Members  that the Government has entered into loans and grants agreements with various Development Partners, to fund development projects.

The National Assembly Select Committee on Implementation chaired  by Hon. Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi) engaged the Ministry of Lands and the National Land Commission on failure to implement Parliament’s recommendations. 

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Lands Hon. Nixon Korir appeared before the Committee, alongside the Chairperson of the National Lands Commision Mr. Gershom Ottachi. 

Taita Taveta County Senator Johnes Mwaruma, is seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources concerning Mining in the Kishushe area of Taita Taveta County.

Senator Mwaruma in his Statement wants the Committee to provide a list of Companies conducting mining in the Kishushe area and details of artisanal miners in the said area; Committee to specify the type of minerals each company and group of artisanal miners are excavating, with evidence of licenses in accordance with section 32(3) of the Mining Act.

Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources Chaired by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, has today turned away Principal Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi who had stepped in to represent Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Hon. Soipan Tuya.

Legislators felt that it’s only the Cabinet Secretary who could give a sufficient response to the Petition, Messages and Statements sought by Members. Committee resolved to re-invite Cabinet Secretary Soon. 

Following the resolutions of the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to conclude the Petition on Unfair Terms and Conditions for Universal Health Coverage ( UHC) Staff and Delay in Internship Posting on its sitting held on 11th July 2023, the Committee today held a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Susan Nakhumicha, Council of Governors Chairperson for Health Committee, H.E. Johnson Sakaja and the Petitioners of the said Petition to chart a way forward on the issues of concern.

The Cabinet Secretary for EAC, the ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Rebecca Miano, has today informed Senators that Igamba-Ng’ombe Sub-County in Tharaka Nithi County hasn’t been declassified as an ASAL area. 

While appearing before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration led by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute, the Cabinet Secretary told the Members of the Committee that the Ministry isn’t aware of any declassification of the sub-county.