The Senate of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, has urged sponsors of bills in the Senate to identify co-sponsors in the National Assembly in order to increase the prospects of their bills passing in both Houses.

Speaker Kingi explained that the absence of co-sponsors is affecting the seamless passage of the Senate bills in the National Assembly since most bills are introduced and moved by Members who may not fully appreciate the importance and gist of the bills.

In his Communication to the House today, Speaker Kingi clarified that co-sponsorship of House bills is a norm in numerous jurisdictions including the United States of America.

“Standing Order 162 provides for the framework for co-sponsorship of Senate Bills in the National Assembly. Sponsors of bills in the Senate are therefore encouraged to identify co-sponsors in the National Assembly,” said Speaker Kingi.

He urged Senators to notify him in writing of the name or names of the proposed co-sponsors immediately after the bill is passed in the Senate.

Some bills that have so far been co-sponsored in both Houses include: The Cotton Industry Development Bill sponsored by Sen. Beth Syengo and co-sponsored by Hon. Mary Emaase; The County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill sponsored by Sen. Mariam Sheikh and co-sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly; and The Mung Beans Bill sponsored by Sen. Enoch Kiio Wambua and co-sponsored by Hon. Paul Musyimi Nzengu in the National Assembly.

Others include: The Startup Bill sponsored by Sen. Crystal Asige and co-sponsored by Hon. Irene Mayaka; The Persons with Disabilities Bill sponsored by Sen. Crystal Asige and co-sponsored by Hon. Millie Odhiambo; The Kenyan Sign Language Bill sponsored by Sen. (Prof.) Margaret Kamar and Sen. Crystal Asige and co-sponsored by Hon. Millie Odhiambo in the National Assembly, among others.

Subsequently, the Message to the National Assembly on the passage of a bill originating from the Senate will include the name of the co-sponsor identified in the National Assembly.