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.

The National Assembly has organized a four-day workshop to induct Members of the House Watchdog Committees on how to effectively hold the Executive to account, make law and upscale their representation role.

The induction is organized by the Directorate of Audit, Appropriations and other Select Committees.

The forum which starts tomorrow (Friday) and runs through Sunday will be held at Pride Inn Paradise Hotel and Conference Centre in Mombasa County.

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education today met with various parastatals summoned to present on audit queries contained in reports of the Auditor General. The reports cover the last 3 financial years running up to 2020/21.

The committee chaired by Hon. Jack Wamboka (Bumula), in line with its mandate to examine reports of the Auditor General on Public Investments, sought responses from the parastatal heads. The Office of the Auditor General and National Treasury were in attendance to offer clarity on compliance issues by the parastatals.

Earlier today, the Senate Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing Chaired by Kiambu Sen. Karungo Thangwa held a meeting to consider the following statements as requested by various Senators: 

a.) Statement by Sen. Kathuri Murungi, MP on Nithi Bridge,

b.) Statement by Sen. Samson Cherarkey, MP on the rehabilitation and upgrade of

Uhuru Highway

c.) Statement by Sen. Kamau Murango, MP on speeding of drivers transporting Miraa.

Furthermore, the committee considered the Petition on eviction and demolition of Buxton, Mombasa County. 

Senate Standing Committee on Energy Chaired by Nyeri Sen. Wahome Wamatinga held a meeting today with the Electricity Consumers Society on the high cost of electricity. 

The Committee has renewed efforts to review costly power supply contracts entered between Kenya Power and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). 

Marsabit Senator, Mohammed Chute is proposing to probe the contracts signed between Kenya Power and independent power producers (IPPs) which according to the legislator disadvantage the end consumer.

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba Ibrahim met today to consider the Prompt Payment Bill and consider statements responses on Predatory Asset Based Lenders, Austerity Measures Imposed by IMF, and Alleged Kshs.1.3 Billion Fine for Defaulting SGR Loan.

The Prompt Payment Bill seeks to put in place a legal framework to facilitate prompt payment for the supply of goods, works and services procured by government entities both at National and County Level. 

The County Public Accounts Committee of the Senate has directed the Governor of Tharaka Nithi County Muthomi Njuki to take administrative action against his revenue collection officers..

The Committee issued the directive when the governor appeared before it to defend the County's revenue and expenditure account for the 2019/20 financial year.

The committee was forced to issue the directive after it emerged that most of the own source revenue collected by the County Revenue officers is never banked in the County Revenue Fund as required by the law.

Following the Swearing in Ceremony of the IEBC Selection Panel Members at the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice last week, the first order of business according to law, is the Election of the Chair and Vice Chair.

Today, the IEBC Selection Panel Members conducted elections to elect their Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

Dr. Nelson Makanda was elected as the Chairperson while Ms. Charity Kisotu was elected as the Vice Chairperson. Both were elected unopposed.

The Speaker of the Senate Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi has said that good working relationship between Kenya and Hungary has been positive and mutually beneficial. 

The Speaker however wants Parliaments of the two countries to strengthen the partnership between these two countries and intensify efforts to promote greatest linkages and networks.

The National Assembly Speaker, the Rt. Hon Moses Wetang'ula was on Friday conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Kibabii University during the institutions 7th graduation ceremony.

Previously referred to as the Rt. Hon. Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula, his salutation changes to include his achieved degree henceforth referred to as the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula.

Kenya – Hungary to enhance parliamentary engagements for the benefits of the two countries.

The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Labour is shocked by revelations of sexual harassment of workers in two tea firms based in Kericho county.

The Hon. Eric Muchangi-led Committee that is investigating alleged sexual harassment and exploitation of female employees in two multi-national companies in the county were told how women were allegedly sexually assaulted by rogue managers and supervisors.

The National Assembly Speaker, the Rt. Hon Moses Wetang'ula was on Friday conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Kibabii University during the institutions 7th graduation ceremony.

Previously referred to as the Rt. Hon. Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula, his salutation changes to include his achieved degree henceforth referred to as the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula.