The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised alarm over the disappearance of 125 BVR kits belonging to IEBC before the 2022 General Elections.

Murang`a County Senator Joe Nyutu has sought for a statement from the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the exploitation of water resources in Murang`a County by the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.

The Senator wants the committee in their report to give the status of the Northern Collector Tunnel project indicating the stipulated time frame for its completion, the construction status so far and the expected date of its launching.

Senator Mohammed Chute of Marsabit County is seeking a report on the status of oil exploration in Turkana.

Through a request for statement that is before the Senate, Sen. Chute wants the Energy Committee to furnish the Senate with information on the status of oil exploration and extraction in Turkana since the discovery of the oilfield in 2012.

Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma has tabled in the Senate a request for statement on the delayed payment of pension to the retired Kenya Railways Corporation employees.

Sen. Mwaruma through his request wants the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to establish the cause of the prolonged delay in payment of pension to the affected retired employees.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has welcomed the visit to Kenya by Italy President Sergio Mattarella saying it was a sign of good diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Speaker Kingi received the president at Parliament Grounds on Tuesday when he came to pay respects to the Mouseleum of Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president.

"The visit signifies thriving diplomatic relations between Italy and Kenya under President William Ruto," the Speaker said when he received the President.

MPs have backed a petition by Kituo cha Sheria Legal Advice Centre that calls for President William Ruto to institute a commission of inquiry on cases of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the IEBC to reduce funds spent on paying for outsourced legal services for the Commission.

The Hon John Mbadi led Committee noted with concern that 85 percent of the Sh4 billion pending bills is meant for paying law firms hired by the Commission to represent it in court.

The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) of the Senate has questioned a Sh90 million expenditure by Bomet County to facilitate public participation during the 2019/20 financial year.

In her report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said that the County breached the law when it spent the money on activities funded through imprests issued to various officers.

The Auditor General says this was contrary to Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015.

Cabinet Secretaries will now appear before the plenary of the National Assembly every Wednesday afternoons to answer questions from by hon. Members. This follows an adoption of the Report of the Procedure and House Rules Committee that amended various sections of the Standing Orders to allow the Cabinet Secretaries to physically appear before the House and answer questions.

The Public Debt and Privatization Committee chaired by Hon. Abdi Shurie (Balambala) on Thursday 9^th March, 2023 tabled a Report on Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) in the National Assembly. The Report provides strategies and initiatives to be undertaken by the National Treasury in financial year 2023/24, to meet fiscal deficits for the period between 2023 to 2026, as proposed in the 2023 Budget Policy Statement.

The Senate Committee on Energy Chaired by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga concluded its two days induction today, by touring Olkaria Geothermal Power Stations.

Yesterday, the Committee held consultative meetings with Energy Sector Stakeholders including Kenya Power and Lighting, KenGen, KETRACO, Geothermal Development Company, Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), Nuclear Power Energy Agency (NUPEA) and EPPRA.

Lawmakers have scrutinised documents submitted by the State Department on Land and Physical Planning. 

In a meeting chaired by Hon. Joash Nyamoko, the Committee on Lands sought to be updated on the department's mandate, challenges faced, and measures being taken to mitigate these challenges by Hon. Nixon Korir, Principal Secretary.

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Chaired by Kirinyaga Sen. James Murango receiving submissions from the Mung Beans farmers in Mutomo Town, Kitui South Constituency, Kitui County on the Second day of Public Participation.

The Mung Beans Bill 2022, which is sponsored by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua provides for;

1. A framework for the coordinated implementation of the national policies and strategies on the development and regulations of the Mung Bean industry.

The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning this morning kicked off a 2-day engagement with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) at Simba Lodge Naivasha .

The Committee which is mandated to consider matters in relation to public finance is keen to understand the strategies the Authority has laid down to meet its revenue targets for the current financial year and the 3 trillion projection for the Financial Year 2023/2024.

The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning is set to commence an inquiry into the disbursement of Kshs. 6.014 to Telkom Kenya to facilitate the exit of Helios Investment Partners. The Kimani Kuria-led Committee in particular seeks to establish if the law was followed in the disbursement of the money under Article 223 of the Constitution.

The Committee through a report recently recommended to the House the disapproval of the disbursement which happened in August 2022, but whose approval was sought in January 2023. 

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, Chaired by Senator James Murango today commenced Public Participation Forums in Tseikuru Ward, Mwingi North Constituency on the Mung Beans Bill 2022, sponsored by Kitui Senator Hon. Enoch Wambua. 

Members present are Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Nominated Senator Beth Syengo, Bungoma Senator David Wakoli. 

The Mung Beans Bill 2022 provides;

1. A framework for the coordinated implementation of the national policies and strategies on the development and regulations of the Mung Bean industry.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has promised to take personal initiative to ensure Parliaments in Africa unite and start collaborating on issues that affect the people.

Speaker Kingi told a delegation of Members of Eswatini Parliamentary Service Board that he will ensure the Parliaments across the continent constantly engage to foster partnerships and collaborate on issues that confront the Continent.

"There is a feeling that African Parliaments have ceded too much ground to the executives," said the Speaker on Thursday.

Speaker Amason Kingi has hailed the 5th Legislative Summit as a perfect platform that if properly handled will help solve many challenges that are undermining the implementation of devolution.

The Speaker further reminded the Joint Steering Committee that is organizing the Summit that the devolution family has become bigger and that anyone with an input for the success of the Summit should be involved in both planning and participation.

The National Assembly Public Petitions Committee today cross-examined the Consumer Rights Defender, Mr.Stephen Mutoro on his petition regarding funds spent by the former administration without the approval of Parliament.

Mr Mutoro had petitioned the House to investigate resources utilized by the National Government in violation of Article 223 of the Constitution that was executed by the Controller of Budget.

The IEBC Selection Panel, Chaired by Dr. Evans Makanda, has commenced a three-day retreat to develop a work plan for the process.

The Select Penel Secretariat, led by the Deputy Clerk Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi, used the meeting to apprise the Members on the Rules of Procedure as well as the Selection Procedure.

The Chairman, Dr Evans Makanda, in his opening remarks, reminded the Members and the Secretariat of the enormous task ahead and further urged that all should discharge their duties with utmost dedication and sacrifice.