The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries held a meeting today to consider and adopt a Legislative proposal on the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Bill, 2023.

The Bill, which is sponsored by Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, MP, seeks to make provision for the production, processing, marketing and distribution of Kenyan nuts and oil crops and their products. 

The Senate Committee for County Public Investments and Special Funds, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, convened today with the intention of engaging with Paul Otuoma, the Governor of Busia County to review the Auditor General's Reports on the Financial Statements of the Busia Water and Sewerage Services Company Limited for the fiscal years 2018-2021.

However, the Committee received official communication from the Governor, requesting the postponement of today's scheduled meeting. The Governor cited medical circumstances as the reason for his unavailability.

Today, the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights (JLAHRC), chaired by Senator Veronicah Maina, held a meeting with Senator Crystal to discuss the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill and the County Governments (Amendment) Bill. These legislative proposals align with Senator Asige's dedication to promoting inclusivity in Kenya's democratic framework.

The National Assembly's Public Debt and Privatization Committee chaired by  Hon. Abdi Shurie (Balambala) met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Dr. Patrick Njoroge to discuss issues regarding the Consolidated Fund Services (CFS) Expenditures Estimates raised by the Auditor General in the Financial Year 2023/2024.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations has inspected ongoing works at  Forces Referral and Research Hospital (FRRH) at Kabete, Nairobi.

Led by the  Committee Vice-Chairperson Hon. Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullah (Mandera-North), Members visited the facility to assess the progress of the ongoing works, the challenges faced, the opportunities available, and the value of the money expended on the project.

The Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, under the leadership of Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West) met the Tourism Fund Chief Executive Officer (CEO)  Mr. David Mwangi to address concerns regarding employment diversity and procurement reservation for special interest groups.

According to documents presented by Mr. Mwangi, the current workforce at the Fund is  265 employees. The Committee expressed concerns over the dominance of two communities in the composition of employees at the Fund.

The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture chaired by Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) met with officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to discuss audit queries raised in the Auditor General's Reports for the Financial Years 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. 

Hon. Mary Emaase, MP has  brought to light alarming contradictions in the guidelines for implementing Junior Secondary School (JSS) education. 

The discrepancy revolves around Guideline 8.6, which places the responsibility of providing meals to parents and guardians, while simultaneously obligating school leadership to ensure that no child drops out due to unpaid lunch fees.

Hon. Mary Emaase recently voiced her concerns, calling on the Ministry of Education to address this contradiction and shed light on the actions being taken to rectify the situation.

The Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has urged the leadership of the Majority and Minority parties in the House to formalize the recognition of the bipartisan talks committee in accordance with the Standing Orders of both Houses.

In his Communication to the House on Wednesday, Speaker Wetang’ula stated that he and his Senate counterpart Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi are committed to facilitating the work of the Committee as it undertakes this significant task.

The National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration chairperson Hon. Wanjiku Muhia tabled a Report on the Committee's visit to the Semi-Autonomous institutions of the East Africa Community (EAC) in Arusha, Tanzania in the House. 

The Committee visited four Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs); the EAC Secretariat, the EAC Competition Authority, the EAC Court of Justice, and the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI).

The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education chaired by Hon. Jack Wamboka met with officials from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development(KICD) and the University of Enterprises Nairobi and Services Limited (UNES) to discuss audit queries raised in the Auditor General's Report. financial statements.

Senate speaker Amason Kingi has eulogized the late Marya Elizabeth Adjibodou as an exceptional parliamentary officer who personified commitment and diligence, pointing out that her demise is a big loss to the Parliamentary Service.

In the communication to the House as a tribute to Mrs Adjibodou, the Speaker described her death as tragic and condoled with her family, friends and colleagues at this most tragic time.

Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH was among several leaders who attended this year's National Prayer Breakfast meeting at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

The theme of this year`s National Prayer Breakfast was Reconciliation; The action of making one view or belief compatible with another.

Speaking during the event, Speaker Kingi commended the organizers for the wonderful event.

“Please join me in appreciating men and women who have worked tirelessly to ensure a successful event,” appealed Speaker Kingi.

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, presided over by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, convened a meeting with Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi to deliberate on the Auditor General's report concerning Wajir Water and Sewerage Company Limited's financial statements from 2018 to 2021. Attendees at the meeting were Senators including Vice Chair Prof. Tom Ojienda, William Kisang, Tabitha Maureen Mutinda, Hamida Kibwana, Karungo Thangwa, and Miraj Abdullahi Abdulrahman.

Nominated Senator Beth Kalunda Syengo, MP, is seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism regarding the promotion and marketing of rocks and hills in the Eastern region of Kenya as tourism sited. 

In the statement, the Committee should;

Outline the findings of surveys and assessment conducted, if any, for rocks and hills in the Eastern region, Including Ngomeni rocks and Nzaui hills in Kitui and Makueni counties, respectively, to evaluate their potential for tourism.

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, MP, is seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the actions being taken by the Ministry of Health to make fistula care more accessible and affordable in Kenya.

In her statement, the Committee should;

Provide an assessment of the current status of fistula care facilities and resources in Kenya, including the number of trained medical personnel and specialized centers capable of providing comprehensive fistula care, prevention, repair, and social reintegration services;

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, MP, is seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the challenges in passport issuance and claims of corruption in the Directorate of Immigration Services, particularly the Passport Section.

In her Statement, the Committee should; 

Outline the measures being implemented to combat alleged instances of corruption within the Directorate of Immigration Services, particularly the practice of expediting passport issuance for those who can afford to bribe officials;

Senator Tabitha Mutinda has sought a statement at Senate regarding the regulation of sand harvesting in Kitui County.

Sen. Hamida Kibwana is seeking a Statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Health regarding the actions being taken by the Ministry of Health to make cancer treatment accessible and affordable in Kenya.

The Senator wants the Committee to state plans the Ministry of Health has made to declare cancer a national disaster in Kenya and allocate sufficient budgetary resources to support cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment initiatives; and explain interventions that the Ministry of Health has put in place, if any, to subsidize the cost of cancer care and treatment.

Bunge Fellowship Choir stole the show during the 20th Annual National Prayer Breakfast organized by the Parliament of Kenya at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. 

Led by the Majority Party Whip Hon. Silvanus Osoro, the choir took the stage by storm, with their remarkable renditions of popular hymns.

 "Your Excellency, this is the Bunge Fellowship Choir. We practice once a week, every Wednesday. This is not the usual Bunge choir that we know in every prayer breakfast," said Hon. Osoro before the choir took the stage.