The National Assembly Budget & Appropriations Committee (BAC) unanimously approved legislative proposals to amend existing Bills. Led by the Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Mary Emaase, the Committee approved; the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (2023) by Hon. Dr. Beatrice Adagala, Pensions (Amendment) Bill, (2023) by Hon. Tandaza Sawa, Political Parties (Amendment) Bill (2022) by Hon. Wanami Wamboka, Kenya Scouts (Amendment) Bill (2022) by Hon. John Kiarie, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill (2022), the National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill (2022), Coconut & Cashewnut (Amendment) Bill (2022) by Hon. Owen Baya and Social Assistance (Amendment) Bill 2023 by Hon. Dr. Peter Masara.

In an effort  to save the public from the huge expenditure cost of the funds appropriated by the National Assembly, the Budget Committee proposed that the four authorities namely; Coconut & Cashew Nut Board of Kenya, Kenya Coconut & Cashew Nut Council, the Coconut & Cashew Nut Research Institute and the Coconut & Cashew Nut Exchange Authority as earlier proposed in the Bill be amalgamated into one.

On the Social Assistance (Amendment) Bill (2023), the Committee approved the Bill but proposed a delay in enactment as the Principal Law on the same had been  approved by the House but is yet to be operationalized.

Upon the implementation of the proposed amendments on the Kenya Scouts Bill, (2022), the Scouts will have steady support from the Government. This Bill also domiciles the scouting activities within the Ministry of Education, promote scouting and scouting leadership in the counties, abolish Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) and re-establish the Kenya Scout Council (KSC) as a body corporate with the funding for the council.

The proposed Social Assistance (Amendment) Bill, 2023 through collaboration of the county Governments and the National Health Insurance Fund will enable the elderly persons in the society to access free cancer screening and treatment, kidney treatment and counselling services.

While creating employment to the youths and increasing production in the cotton industry, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, (2023) will enable Kenyans to set up cottage industries at the village level by importing duty free machines and raw materials which are not locally available.

The Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to improve the livelihoods of the Pensioners by ensuring that there is fairness and equitable pension payments over time thus providing retirees with greater financial stability.

The Budget & Appropriations Committee will table their report on the floor of the House for debate.