Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources Chaired by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, has today turned away Principal Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi who had stepped in to represent Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Hon. Soipan Tuya.

Legislators felt that it’s only the Cabinet Secretary who could give a sufficient response to the Petition, Messages and Statements sought by Members. Committee resolved to re-invite Cabinet Secretary Soon. 

Taita Taveta County Senator Johnes Mwaruma, is seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources concerning Mining in the Kishushe area of Taita Taveta County.

Senator Mwaruma in his Statement wants the Committee to provide a list of Companies conducting mining in the Kishushe area and details of artisanal miners in the said area; Committee to specify the type of minerals each company and group of artisanal miners are excavating, with evidence of licenses in accordance with section 32(3) of the Mining Act.

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget today held a meeting with stakeholders among them the National Treasury, ICPAK and IGTRC to deliberate on the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill, 2023 (National Assembly Bills No. 16 of 2023), the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 23 of 2023) and the County Government (Revenue Raising Process) Bill (Senate Bills No. 22 of 2023.)

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has revealed that the government has put in place plans to recognize and remunerate Village Elders under the Nyumba Kumi Initiative.

Speaking when he appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, CS Kindiki said the Kenya Kwanza Administration recognizes that the Village elders offer essential services to the country thus there is need to support them through recognition and remuneration.

The Cabinet Secretary for EAC, the ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Rebecca Miano, has today informed Senators that Igamba-Ng’ombe Sub-County in Tharaka Nithi County hasn’t been declassified as an ASAL area. 

While appearing before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration led by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute, the Cabinet Secretary told the Members of the Committee that the Ministry isn’t aware of any declassification of the sub-county. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Hon. Florence Bore apologized to the National Assembly for failing to appear before it to answer Questions. CS Bore was appearing for the first time since the House reprimanded her for failing to show up during a previous invitation.

While explaining herself, Hon. Bore informed the House that in future she would render her apologies in good time whenever she is not able to honour an invitation. 

The National Assembly Committee on Labour, chaired by Hon. Erick Muchangi (Runyenjes), met with Hon. Didmus Barasa (Kimilili) to discuss the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2023. 

The Bill seeks to grant employees six months' written notice before a transfer or the option of receiving one month's wage as notice pay. It also aims to provide reasons for the transfer, seek the employee's consent, and support the employee's relocation, unless the transfer was requested by the employee.