This week in Parliament: MPs resume sittings to full in-tray

The National Assembly resumed sittings on November 5 for the Third Session following a two-week working recess.

Several Bills have been lined up for consideration upon the resumption of the House Business.

The Kenya Drugs Authority Bill, 2022, sponsored by Endebess MP Robert Pukose and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2022 by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo will be considered.

Debate on a Motion by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie on the establishment of science museums will resume.

Also to be considered is the Land Control Bill, 2023 sponsored by Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, which seeks to regulate land use.

Also to be considered is the Kenya Roads Board (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which proposes amendments to the Kenya Roads Board Act, to enhance the capacity to manage and maintain road infrastructure.

The Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 proposes amendments to the Universities Act to improve governance and administration within universities and the Higher Education Loans Board Amendment Bill, 2022 which seeks to amend the Higher Education Loans Board Act to improve access to higher education financing will also be considered.

The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to strengthen the regulatory framework for political parties in Kenya and the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2022, are scheduled for debate in the Second Reading.

During the week, MPs paid tribute to former Alego Usoga lawmaker Peter Oloo Aringo, who passed away on November 1, 2024, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.

The tributes followed a general statement made by the current Alego Usoga MP Samuel Atandi commemorating the achievements of the late legislator who served for 25 years as a Member of Parliament between 1974–1988 and 1997–2002. 

Atandi noted that during his career, Oloo-Aringo served as Assistant Minister and later Cabinet Minister in various portfolios under presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Toroitich arap Moi.

Oloo-Aringo's most notable achievement as Education Minister was successfully transitioning Kenya's education system from the 7-4-2-3 to the 8-4-4 system.

He also played a crucial role in expanding technical and higher education by establishing institutions such as Kenya Technical Trainers’ and Kenya Science Teachers’ College.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo on her part called on Parliament to develop mechanisms of acknowledging past lawmakers who have made notable achievements before their demise.

 "As members of this prestigious House, we need to initiate a roll of honour, to acknowledge and appreciate former Members of Parliament for their achievements while they’re still alive,” she said.

Kwale governor Fatuma Achani was faulted by a Senate committee for making adjustments to the approved budget without seeking the authority of the people as required by the law.

The County Public Accounts Committee also raised concern over a litany of gaps in the county’s budgeting process.

The governor was censured for doing little to raise the county’s own source revenue.

At a meeting on Monday, the Senators expressed concern about Achani for arbitrarily adjusting the county Executive budget for the 2022/23 financial year in which she altered departmental allocations and failed to submit a memorandum to the County Assembly to justify the adjustments.