Members of the National Assembly are now urging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as State parastatals responsible for implementing Government road and water projects, to ensure that land availability and compensation for owners are secured before signing any contracts.

This call comes as a result of numerous complaints about the Government's loss of public resources due to contractors charging penalties for idle time during the period they are unable to access designated project sites for road and water infrastructure development.

Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma, is seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Renounces regarding the status of adjudication of Kaloleni Majengo Settlement Scheme in Voi Subcounty, Taita Taveta County.

Senator Mwaruma in his Statement wants the Committee to update the Senate on the Land adjudication process; Committee to State the reasons for the abandonment of the adjudication process.

The Commissioner of Cooperative Development Mr. David Obonyo and Mr. Peter Wanjohi (Drumvale Farmers Cooperative Society liquidator) appeared before Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism today to appraise the Committee on various unclear matters in the Petition regarding liquidation of Drumvale Farmers Cooperative Society in Machakos County. 

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Gladys Boss led the Kenyan Delegation attending the 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) African Region held in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The 18th Conference of Speakers and presiding officers of the Commonwealth African Region of 2023 was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Cameroon Mr. Joseph Ngute on behalf of the President His Excellency President Paul Biya.

The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning chaired by Hon. Kuria Kimani (Molo) held a meeting with two Members of Parliament who have sponsored two of the nine legislative proposals currently under consideration by the Committee.

First to appear before the Committee was Hon. Yusuf Farah (Wajir West) who is proposing to amend the Banking Act to empower the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to make a regulatory framework for Islamic Banking.

The National Government owes constituency NG-CDF Boards across the country a total of over Kshs.600 million. This was revealed in a report by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board on status of receipts and disbursement as at July 7th 2023.

These monies have not been disbursed to the Constituency NG-CDF Boards from the Financial Year 2015/2016 to 2021/2022.

According to the report, 32 constituencies have not received their allocations amounting to Kshs.299,222,913.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education led by the Vice Chairperson Hon. Malulu Injendi (Malava), engaged in a consultative meeting with representatives from Yamaha Corporation.

The delegation from the Japanese firm, headed by Mr. Tamezawa Hiroshi, provided a comprehensive briefing to the team regarding Yamaha's School Project. 

This initiative aims to support learners across the country by providing them with musical instruments such as keyboards, pianica and recorders. 

The Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council, the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority, Tobacco Control Board and the Valuers Registration Board were among the State Agencies appeared before the National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture to explain the reasons behind their books not being audited why their audit books have never been audited by the office of the Auditor-General as required by the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act. 

The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs & Energy has directed that the National Government crafts a recovery strategy for the East African Portland Cement Company by August, 17, 2023.

The Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture Hon. Daniel Wanyama (Webuye West) attended a breakfast meeting with stakeholders and officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage in Nairobi. 

The meeting was significant as the Committee is currently in the process of ratifying the UNESCO 1970 Treaty that seeks to combat the illegal trade of cultural artifacts by prohibiting their illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership. 

Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, and his minority counterpart, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, have jointly urged the National Government Constituencies Development Fund constituency committees to propose projects that genuinely address the concerns of the electorates.

Hon. Ichung'wah noted that meaningful public participation requires the active involvement and guidance of Members of Parliament  in order to effectively represent the interests of the public.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education Committee led by Hon. Julius Melly (Tinderet), has directed state agencies responsible for examination management to prioritize the protection of Kenya's academic qualifications and maintain their credibility.

After a meeting with officials from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Hon. Melly stressed the importance of upholding the integrity of national examinations.

Members of the National Assembly began debate on a Bill seeking to amend the Penal Code to repeal sections pertaining to the offences of idleness and disorderliness.

 Hon. David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East)  who sponsored the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill (2022),  cited inconsistencies with the 2010 Constitution as it infringes upon the fundamental human rights and freedoms of Kenyan citizens trying to earn a living. He added that the existing legal framework is being misused by law enforcement officials to harass innocent individuals. 

The National Assembly  Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture today continued with the interrogation of officials from State Agencies from the list of 24 that have never been audited by the office of the Auditor-General (OAG).

The Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (KECOPAC) was the first to appear before the Committee to respond to five issues as asked by the Committee. Among the issues they were required to explain was the reason the institution’s audit books have never been reviewed by the office of the OAG.

The Departmental Committee on Education chaired by Hon. Julius Melly (Tinderet) has raised concerns over the prolonged tenure of teachers serving in acting capacities.

During a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Dr. Nancy Macharia, Members  emphasized the need for immediate action to address the challenge, which they noted affects many tutors.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy chaired by Hon.(Eng) Vincent Musyoka met the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Mr. Davis Chirchir , the Principal Secretary State Department of Energy Mr. Alex Wachira, the Managing Director of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC)  amongst other officials to address the reduction of the high cost of electricity in the country.

The National Assembly has debated the first ever Report dedicated to oversight of the Consolidated Fund Service (CFS) in the history of Kenyan Parliament. 

In the Report from the Committee on Public Debt and Privatization Chaired by Hon. Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), recommends that the National Treasury should in future consider availing to Parliament a statement indicating all obligations of the National Government, at the time of submission of the Budget Estimates. 

The Report analyzed the CFS expenditure for the Supplementary Estimates No.1 FY/2022/23.

The National Assembly has  granted approval for the establishment of Kenya's first virtual university, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional higher education for Kenyan students. Last week, the House approved the preliminary charter for the Open University of Kenya (OUK), paving the way for the admission of the initial cohort of 7,100 distance e-learners.

The university, leveraging the country's digital infrastructure, is anticipated to charge fees ranging from Kshs.10,400 to Kshs.10,900 per module, depending on the course.