Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries led by Vice Chairperson, Embu County Senator, Sen.Alexander Munyi Mundigi has summoned the Minister of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Hon. Alice Wahome and Kisumu County Governor Hon. Anyang' Nyongo, for failing to appear before the Committee to formally respond to the Petition regarding the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) Graft Investigation of West Kano Irrigation Scheme.

Earlier today, Senate committee on energy held a meeting with to consider the pre-publication scrutiny on the Local Content Bill, 2023. (Committee Paper No. 38) and review the progress on the inquiry into the high cost of electricity in Kenya. 

The committee heard that the Senate Committee on Energy is established under standing order 228 (3) of the Senate Standing Orders and is mandated to consider all matters related to fossil fuels exploration, development, production, maintenance and regulation of energy.

Today, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, held a meeting scheduled with George Natembeya and Kenneth Lusaka, the Governors of Trans Nzoia and Bungoma Counties respectively. The meeting aimed to address concerns arising from the Auditor General's Report, scrutinising the financial statements of the Nzoia Water Services Company Limited, spanning from 2018 to 2021.

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

The Senate Special Committee on the proposed removal from office by impeachment of the Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol held a meeting today ahead of the hearings that begin this Wednesday morning.

Members adopted the programme that will be followed during the hearings scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health chaired by Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose will this morning engage with officials of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to address alleged irregularities in the procurement process and the cancellation of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets at KEMSA.

In addition the Committee will hold a second meeting with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to discuss various concerns including the non-remittance of NHIF capitations to hospitals providing services to cardholders. 

The National Assembly Select Committee on Budget & Appropriations chaired by Hon. Ndindi Nyoro engaged with chairpersons of Departmental Committees  on the Supplementary Estimates II for Financial Year  2022/2023.

The second Supplementary Estimates for the current fiscal year proposes to reduce the National Government Expenditure estimates by Kshs 6.4 billion. This comprises a reduction of Capital Expenditure by Kshs39 billion, an increase in recurrent expenditure by Kshs.7.6 billion and an increase in Consolidated Funds Services (CFS) by Kshs.24.8 billion.

Kajiado County Assembly appeared today before Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) led by Nandi County Senator Samson Cherarkey to respond to the report by the Auditor General for the Year ended 30th June, 2020.

The Auditor General affirmed to the Committee that audit queries on variance between financial statements and IFMIS figures, Inaccuracies in cash equivalents and fixed asset register where resolved.

Hon. Lilian Siyoi (Trans Nzoia) wants  a comprehensive review of the formula used to allocate bursaries to deserving and needy students under the NG-CDF (National Government Constituency Development Fund) program.

Speaking in the House during debate on NG-CDF allocations, Hon. Siyoi also highlighted the urgent need to reassess the procurement procedures within the NG-CDF program in order to streamline the implementation of works and contracts.

"Mr. Paul Mackenzie teachings were not on air on Times TV. The stations aired content of Pastor Odero who is the proprietor of World Evangelism TV" said Ezra Chiloba, Director General, Communications Authority. 

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee led by the Vice Chairperson Sen. Samson Cherarkey today met Embu County Assembly executive to consider the Assembly’s Auditor General’s Report for the FY 2019/2020.

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, has instructed the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly to adhere to the Public Finance Management Regulations when paying per diem to the officers of the County Assembly. 

In a recent inspection visit to the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) Facility in Kibarani, Mombasa, the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, chaired by Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, met with Managing Commissioner Brigadier J.N. Githaiga. The committee, responsible for budget oversight, delved into detailed discussions regarding the state corporation's operations, assets, and finances.

The Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, chaired by Hon. Daniel Wanyama (Webuye west) held engagement with the Royal Media Services (RMS) and the Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE) in an attempt to look for solutions to conflict between the Royal Media Services and the Kenya Copyright Board. The Performance Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) had sued Royal Media Services claiming payment of  Kshs. 67 million.

The National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock chaired by Hon. (Dr.) John Mutunga, conducted a stakeholder engagement with sugarcane farmers in Kwale County.

The Committee met with representatives of local Outgrowers Associations in Kwale. The meeting provided farmers with an opportunity to shed light on the financial hardships that they face.

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba held a meeting this Thursday to deliberate and consider submissions by the stakeholders on the Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill, 2023.

The Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill, 2023 seeks to put in place a legal framework that will enable appropriate management of the Fund.

The Bill will provide for the administrative structures for the management of the Equalization Fund among them the establishment of an Advisory Board to oversee the running of the Fund.

Marsabit County Senator Mohamed Chute has sought answers from the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing regarding the status of construction of Bonkole Resort in Marsabit County.

In his request Sen. Chute wants the Committee to;

1. Provide an update on the status of construction of the Bonkole Resort, stating the commencement date of the project and reasons for the resort not being operational.

The National Assembly’s Select Committee on Public Petitions chaired by Vice Chair Hon. Janet Siteinei (Turbo) considered a petition by Hon. Owen Baya on behalf of residents of Kilifi. The petition is in regard to the protracted adjudication and resolution of the Mnarani Sub-location. 

In his prayers, Hon. Baya asked the Committee to undertake thorough investigations into the rightful ownership of the Mnarani Land. 

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA)  in partnership with the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) held a capacity building retreat focusing on gender, peace-building, gender-responsive budgeting and tackling gender-based hate speech.

Members discussed the pivotal role of women in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for Kenya. At the event, KEWOPA Members actively engaged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), recognizing their pivotal role in promoting national cohesion, integration and peaceful coexistence.