Kenyans will continue benefiting from reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products following the passage of the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 65 of 2026) by the National Assembly.

The Bill, sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to amend the Value Added Tax Act to maintain the VAT rate on petroleum products at eight per cent, down from the standard rate of 16 per cent. The measure is intended to cushion consumers against rising global fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East.

Members of the National Assembly have backed a Motion seeking to promote the employment of National Youth Service (NYS) graduates in government institutions and private security firms.

The Motion by Kilifi County MP, Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu, seeks to establish a policy framework for the structured engagement of NYS graduates as security officers in government institutions.

The National Assembly has passed the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill, 2024, paving the way for stronger legal protections for breastfeeding mothers and greater support for women balancing employment with childcare.

The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Sabina Chege (Nominated), seeks to establish employers’ obligations towards breastfeeding mothers, provide for lactation facilities in workplaces and require baby-changing facilities in public places.

Members of the National Assembly have passed the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 36 of 2024), paving the way for a statutory framework to regulate environmental professionals and strengthen standards in the practice.

The Bill, sponsored by Hon. George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), seeks to establish the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya, with a mandate to register, license and regulate environmental professionals, while promoting professional development, research and knowledge sharing.

The National Assembly has passed the East African Development Bank (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 33 of 2026), which seeks to strengthen parliamentary oversight over the release of public funds to the regional development lender.

The Bill proposes amendments to the East African Development Bank Act to require National Assembly approval before public funds are charged to or released from the Consolidated Fund for payment to the East African Development Bank (EADB).

The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation has held a consultative engagement with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to review proposed Regulations under the Climate Change Act, Cap. 387A, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, Cap. 387 and the Forest Conservation and Management Act, Cap. 385.

Kenya's delay in joining the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime has drawn sharp scrutiny in Parliament, with legislators questioning why the country has taken nearly 25 years to act on a critical international framework to combat cybercrime and facilitate cross-border access to electronic evidence.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has assured mobile phone subscribers that adequate measures are in place to ensure they are notified before their inactive SIM cards are deactivated and their mobile numbers are reallocated.

Kenya is using diplomatic channels to secure the return of its nationals caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has told the Senate.

Appearing before a joint sitting of the Senate Committees on Labour and Social Welfare and National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Mudavadi said the government was working through its diplomatic missions to locate Kenyans whose whereabouts were unknown, secure the release of those held in Ukraine and facilitate the return of those able to leave the conflict.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy has agreed to undertake targeted oversight visits to counties with stalled rural electrification projects amid concerns that electricity poles remain unconnected long after projects are launched.

Meeting at Bunge Tower under Chairperson Senator William Kisang, the Committee considered a Parliamentary Budget Office brief on budget implementation in the energy sector for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Members of the National Assembly have raised concerns over the high cost of conducting

elections in Kenya as they debated the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bill No.

29 of 2024) at Second Reading.

The Bill, which is among the electoral reform measures arising from recommendations of the

A Member of Parliament has called for urgent government action to address the growing burden of endometriosis among Kenyan women and girls, warning that delayed diagnosis and costly treatment are leaving many to suffer silently for years.

Kirinyaga County MP Hon. Njeri Maina said endometriosis should no longer be treated merely as a private medical problem, arguing that the condition has significant public health, social and economic consequences.

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has raised concern over a KSh984 million funding shortfall at Nyayo Stadium, warning that delays in settling the contractor’s outstanding payments could undermine preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education has raised concerns over teacher shortages, inadequate learning facilities and delays in food provision at Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres in Machakos County, calling on the County Government to address the gaps and improve learning conditions for children.

The Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium (Talanta Stadium) is racing towards completion ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with project officials putting overall construction at about 94 per cent but acknowledging that key technical, accessibility and operational issues remain outstanding.

The National Assembly has resumed sittings with the Budget and electoral reforms taking centre stage as the House enters the third and final part of the Fifth Session of the 13th Parliament.

Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses M. Wetang’ula, while welcoming Members back for the third and final part of the Fifth Session, said the limited time available required the House and its Committees to accelerate consideration of pending legislative business.

The National Assembly has approved a motion calling for the formulation and implementation of a national policy framework to guide the recruitment and remuneration of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) across the country.

The Motion, sponsored by Hon. George Murugara, seeks to formalise the position of CHPs, who provide frontline primary healthcare services and link households with the formal health system.