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.

The National Assembly is set to debate the Report on Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Kenya and the Government of Seychelles.

The Report by the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech recommends approval of the DCA signed between the two Governments on July 18, 2022.

Hon. John Kiarie (Dagoretti South) has called for a renewed commitment in promotion of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in Parliamentary democratic governance.

Hon. Kiarie made the call during the celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism.

Through a statement that he read on the Floor of the House, Hon. Kiarie highlighted the importance of the international day noting that it is critical for Parliamentary democracy at a  time when people have lost trust in Parliamentary institutions.

The Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism held a meeting today with a team from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) led by the CEO, FCPA Wyckliff Shamiah to consider a Petition by Mr. Rono Nicholas on the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shareholding at the East African Breweries Limited. 

The Petitioner had prayed that the Committee investigates the matter with a view to recommending amendments to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Act to cushion the shareholders from such future manipulation.

Members of the National Assembly last week had an opportunity to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Ms. Alice Wahome questions when she appeared before the Plenary. 

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga) asked CS Wahome to explain to the steps the Ministry has put in place to resolve the issue of collapsing dykes in Alego Usonga and Budalangi Constituencies. Further he sought to know the measures put in place by the Government to conserve Lake Kanyaboli in Siaya County.

The National Assembly's Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation held a consultative meeting with their Counterparts from the German Bundestag (Parliament).

At the meeting chaired by Hon. Erastus Nzioka (Mbooni), the Members  of the Committee held discussions on sustainable Information Technology and digital participation in legislative processes, even as they shared knowledge , experiences and best practices in pursuing a more dynamic digital future. 

Under the chairmanship of Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang, the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts (CPAC) convened with the County Assembly of Kericho today. The agenda of the meeting was to scrutinise the Auditor General's report, detailing the Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year of 2019/2020.

During the discussions, a series of significant resolutions were agreed upon.

The County Public Accounts Committee, led by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, has today directed the County Assembly of Laikipia to follow the procurement process to the letter when awarding tenders to suppliers.  

This comes after the Auditor General informed the Committee that the County Assembly of Laikipia made two payments amounting to Kshs1.4 million to two hotels for conference facilities for Members of the County Assembly and staff, despite them not being among the prequalified suppliers of the assembly during the Financial Year under review. 

Under the stewardship of Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang, the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts (CPAC) held a meeting with the County Assembly of Kakamega to closely examine the Auditor General's report on the 2019/2020 financial statements for the County Assembly of Kakamega.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and legal Affairs chaired by  Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka)  met Hon. Jane Maina (Kirinyaga) who appeared before the Committee to present her proposals on the Kenya School of Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Hon. Maina  who is also a Member of the JLAC seeks to amend Section 16 of
the Kenya School of Law (KSL) Act, (2012), in order to confer upon the Council of Legal Education, the power to prescribe admission requirements to courses of study at the Kenya School of Law.

The National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee held a meeting with key Government agencies and organizations to discuss the ratification of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1970 Treaty.

The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture chaired by Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe ( Navakholo) met Managing Trustee of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Mr. David Koros to review the Auditor General's report on the books of accounts for the Financial Year 2019/2020. 

The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee held a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Hon. Alice Wahome. Hon. Wahome appeared before the Committee to shed light on several issues including   the pollution of River Athi, the desiltation of Matinga Dam, and the need for long-term solutions to address perennial water shortage at the ward level in Kenya.

In an attempt to tackle the issues raised by the Office of the Auditor General in various counties, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, under the stewardship of Vihiga County Senator Godfrey Osotsi, held a meeting with the Governors of Makueni, Homa Bay, and Marsabit. The discussions, revolved around the affairs of Water and Sanitation companies, included the review of the Auditor General's Reports on the Financial Statements for the years 2018/19, 2019/20, and 2020/21.

Seven former members of the National Committee on Citizen Participation in Security have said there is no way followers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s Goodnews International Church would have been killed in Shakahola Forest without the knowledge of the state.

The group, which was known as Nyumba Kumi Committee, told the Senate Adhoc Committee on the Proliferation of Religious Organisations, which is investigating the Shakahola deaths, that information on the activities of the church was available but it was either ignored or there was deliberate inaction from the security agencies.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee led by the Chairperson Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka) held a meeting with the Leader of the Minority Party Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) who appeared before the Committee with proposals for amendment to diffrent laws to abolish the death penalty.