National Assembly Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah has raised concerns that widespread misinformation and disinformation are undermining the progress made by Parliament.

He cautioned that the House’s milestones risk being overshadowed by distorted narratives.

Speaking at the 3rd Leadership Retreat in Mombasa, Ichung’wah detailed the Assembly’s performance in the Fourth Session, noting significant legislative and oversight accomplishments.

He revealed that during the session, the House held 79 sittings, processed 65 Bills at different stages, introduced 157 Motions, presented 116 Questions to Cabinet Secretaries, requested 296 Statements, considered 53 statutory instruments, tabled 2,302 Papers and deliberated on 148 Committee Reports.

“Despite these milestones, our work is often undermined by misinformation and disinformation. If the public is not correctly informed and involved in the business of the House, all our efforts risk being in vain,” he said.

Hon. Ichung’wah cited the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, as a prime example of how disinformation can derail important legislation.

“You will recall the fate of the Finance Bill, 2024, whose provisions were later passed through the Tax Laws. Disinformation largely led to its rejection and subsequent public uproar, despite containing progressive measures aimed at boosting local manufacturing and promoting economic growth,” he explained.

The Majority Leader, however raised concerns that several critical Bills remain stuck in mediation, stalling the legislative process.

As of August 15, 2025, a total of 11 Bills, seven from the Senate and four from the National Assembly, are awaiting resolution.

He listed two Senate Bills that have been in mediation for over a year.

They are the Employment (Amendment) Bill, referred on March 5, 2024, and the Natural Resources (Benefit Sharing) Bill, referred on March 12, 2024, which he said have stalled for 528 and 521 days respectively.

Ichung’wah expressed hope that the leadership retreat would devise mechanisms to unlock the impasse.

“We must ensure that the benefits contained in these Bills for the people of Kenya are realized,” he urged.

He called for stronger collaboration between Parliament and the media.

“We must work very closely with both mainstream and digital media to ensure the timely dissemination of factual information to the public,” he said, even as he stressed that silence or delays create room for half-truths and distortions to thrive.

The Majority Leader further noted the need for a robust communication strategy to safeguard Parliament’s credibility.

“When we fail to provide timely information, the public often takes incomplete or false narratives as the truth. Effective communication is central to building trust and confidence with Kenyans, and it must be handled carefully and intentionally going forward,” he concluded.