The Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism has intensified its oversight of the cooperative sector after scrutinizing the Commissioner for Cooperative Development, Mr. David Obonyo over governance failures, regulatory oversight and financial accountability at the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO).

Senator Jackson Mandago questioned how significant financial misstatements at KUSCCO went undetected despite the Commissioner's representation on the Union's Board as an ex-officio member.

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare pressed the Cabinet Secretaries for the National Treasury and Education to make firm, time-bound commitments to settle billions of shillings in pension arrears owed to current and former staff of the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), warning that many retirees had waited too long for justice.

Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome has assured the Senate that her Ministry is taking concrete steps to secure the land occupied by Martin Luther Primary School in Nairobi while also fast tracking the processing and issuance of title deeds for beneficiaries of more than 200 plots in Marsabit County.

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds rejected a request for a further four-month extension of the multi-agency task force established to address the non-remittance of pension deductions by county governments.

The Committee, chaired by Vice Chairperson Sen. Eddy Oketch, met National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his delegation to review the task force’s findings, outstanding engagements and proposed framework for settling county pension arrears.

Water Sector Trust Fund wants Parliament to amend the Water Act, 2016 to provide for the financing by Water Sector Trust Fund of all institutions, utilities and players in the water sector.

Among the areas proposed for amendment are the object of the Fund, various definitions and functions of the Board of Trustees.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, the Fund's Chief Executive Officer, Willis Ombai appealed to Lawmakers to consider amending the Act to enable the Fund to have a greater impact.

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on Tuesday held a public hearing on the Kenya National Library Service Bill, 2023, where stakeholders expressed broad support for the proposed law but urged lawmakers to strengthen provisions on digital preservation, financing and professional governance before it is enacted.