The House Business Committee (HBC) has taken steps to address the backlog of  business pending consideration before the House. 

The National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, who chairs the Committee, said his panel has decided to allocate time specifically for the consideration of individual members' Bills on Wednesday afternoons. 

Speaker Wetang’ula said that the HBC is willing to seek the approval of the House to hold morning sittings on Thursdays or extended sittings to create more time for business. 

The National Assembly - Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, chaired by Hon. Jack Wamboka (Bumula), convened a meeting with the Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Board of Trustees and Management to address concerns raised by the Auditor General in his report.

Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources Chaired by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, today met with the petitioners concerning the illegal demolition of houses by the Kenya power and Lighting Company in Chokaa, Mihang’o Area in Nairobi City County.

The Petitioners informed the Committee that Residences totaling to 150 occupants got their properties demolished/destroyed 2019 as they watched in disbelief disregarding all efforts of involving the KPLC, DCC and seeking a court order to stop any form of demolition.  

The construction of canals and drains in Mutithi ward under the Mwea Irrigation Development Project will come to a completion in December 2023.

Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome told Senators that the project had stalled after the contractor terminated the contract on February 6, 2020 citing delays in payment.

By the time of the termination, progress of the project was at 43 percent.

The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech (Belgut),  is considering terminating the Kenya-Italy Bilateral Agreement on the Lugi-Broglio Malindi Space Centre.

The Committee met with the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Aden Duale, who told the Members that the issues agreed on in the signed Treaty have not been implemented and Kenyans have not benefited in any way.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, has called upon the Leader of Majority Party and the Leader of Minority Party to take immediate action against the Chairperson Public Petitions Committee, following his absenteeism during plenary sessions. 

Expressing concern over the absence of Hon. Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Speaker Wetang’ula noted that this situation has not only failed to serve the interests of the House but also hindered the Committee's business and resulted in a backlog of unresolved petitions.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning chaired by Hon. Kuria Kimani (Molo) has resolved to invoke Article 125 of the Constitution to summon a firm contracted by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to provide excise stamps for excisable goods in Kenya for failure to hour Committee invites.

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPISFC), led by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, held a meeting, today with the Governor of Tana River County, Dhadho Godhana. The purpose of the meeting was to address concerns raised by the Auditor General's Report on the Financial Statements for the Financial Year 2020/21.

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries chaired by Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, MP, met today to consider the response from the Cabinet Secretary Water, Sanitation

and Irrigation, Hon. Alice Wahome regarding the Petition on Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) Graft Investigation on the West Kano Irrigation Scheme. 

The Petitioners prayed that the Committee should -

a) Carry out a thorough financial inspection of the scheme between 2007 and 2021;

b) Carry out institutional audit of the scheme since inception;

QUESTION TIME: Hon. Soipan Tuya - CS, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry 

Pursuant to standing order 56(1)(b) of the Senate Standing Orders, Nyandarua Senator John Methu on behalf of the Committee has made a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources for the period between 1st April, 2023 to 30th July, 2023.

Land’s Committee Chairperson informed the house that during the period under review, the Committee held a total of twelve (12) sittings during which it considered (1) Legislative Proposal, six (6) Petitions, twenty-eight (28) Statements and two (2) messages.

Sen. Hamida Kibwana has sought for a Statement from Senate on the status of the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the Country.

The Senator wants the Senate Committee on Health to state the current status of the UHC rollout in the Country, explaining progress made in terms of coverage, key achievements and any challenges encountered in rolling out the programme, further stating possible interventions that can be applied to overcome the challenges. She also seeks clarity on whether the Government has any plans to halt further rollout of the UHC or terminate it.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) led by the Chairperson Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka), held a two-day workshop organized by the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), to deliberate on the way forward in the finalization of comprehensive electoral reforms in Kenya.
The workshop was expected to review key electoral legislations and develop a road map and timelines for completion of the electoral reforms, and explore the possibility of multi-sectoral participation in the reforms agenda to enhance inclusivity.

The Public Debt and Privatization Committee chaired by Hon. Abdi Shurie (Balambala), held meetings with officials from various Directorates in the National Treasury.

The echoes of excitement and the allure of camaraderie filled the air in bustling Kisii town over the weekend as the annual Law Society of Kenya (LSK) gathered for its 19th Justice Games. This 2023 extravaganza brought together teams from diverse corners of stakeholders involved in the administration of Justice. It was more than just a mere sporting event; it was a social interactive platform that blended the thrill of competition with the warmth of laughter and the harmony of interlinkages in the legal and justice system.

The Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has advised the Nyeri Governor and an aggrieved petitioner to resolve their matter before escalating it to the Senate.

 Nyeri Governor Hon.Mutahi Kahiga who appeared before the committee said he was unaware of the grievances facing the petitioner prompting the Committee to give them an opportunity to iron out the issue and report back to the Senate within three weeks.