The immediate former Director of Legislative and Procedural Services Mr. Samuel Njoroge is the new Clerk of the National Assembly. Mr. Njoroge  becomes the 7th Clerk of the National Assembly as he takes over from Deputy Clerk, Ms. Serah Kioko who has been the Acting Clerk since August 2022.

The House approved a Special Motion seeking the appointment of Mr. Njoroge as the Clerk of the National Assembly through a vote. The Motion was moved by Eldas MP and Parliamentary Service Commissioner, the Hon. Adan Keynan and seconded by Ainabkoi MP, the Hon. Samuel Chepkonga.

“Taking into consideration the Recommendations of the Parliamentary Service Commission in its Report on the Recruitment of the Clerk of the National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House today, Tuesday, 1st November, 2022, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 128 (1) of the Constitution, this House approves the appointment of Mr. Samuel Njoroge as the Clerk of the National Assembly.”, read the Motion.

Mr. Njoroge, who emerged top amongst four other contenders for the position, was serving as the Acting Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning and Management from Kenyatta University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with specialization in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.

He also holds a Certificate in Legislative Management from McGill University in Montreal Canada; Certificate in Legislative Drafting from the International Law Institute Washington DC, United States; Certificate in Legislative Management from the International Law Institute Washington DC, United States.

He has further undertaken numerous legislative trainings and attachments relating to leadership, strategic management, legislative, procedural and parliamentary affairs in various legislatures including the UK House of Commons and House of Lords, the House of Commons of Canada, Parliament of Ghana, USA Congress, Parliament of Australia, South Africa, The Knesset of Israel, India’s Lok Sabha, German Bundestag, Finnish Parliament (Riksdag) and the Japanese Diet.

He has also attended Senior management courses at The Kenya School of Government, the Management University of Africa and the Singapore, Institute of Management, amongst others.

The National Assembly has had six Clerks since independence. The first Clerk of the National Assembly at Independence was the late Mr. Leonard J. Ngugi. He was succeeded by Mr. Japheth K. Masya. Other Clerks of the House were Mr. Samuel W. Ndindiri, Mr. Patrick G. Gichohi, Mr. Justin N. Bundi, and Mr. Michael R. Sialai.

The role of the Clerk of a House of Parliament is multifaceted. In addition to the functions stipulated in the law, the Clerk also chairs the Board of Management in the National Assembly, and is a member of the Board of Senior Management with counterparts from across the other Services.

The Clerk is also the Accounting Officer for the National Assembly, prepares the annual budget, workplans and procurement plans for the institution, and is the link between the institution and external institutions, and also manages the Catering Fund, the Mortgage and Car Loan Scheme Funds for Members and staff of Parliament.