The National Assembly is set to resume from the long recess on Tuesday 14th February 2023, to a busy Second Session of the 13th Parliament. 

The session is set to benefit from the strengthened and enhanced knowledge on parliamentary practices and procedures imparted on the lawmakers during the recent Induction of House Committees and the Post-Election Seminar co-hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Mombasa, Kenya two weeks ago.

Top of the priority agenda will be the consideration of the 2023Budget Policy Statement and the Debt Management Strategy 2023, both of which have a 14-day approval window. The consideration of Supplementary Budget Estimates for FY2022/23 by the House will also feature among top business for the House. In the past week, the Budget and Appropriations Committee and Departmental Committees have been reviewing the Supplementary Estimates in consultation with the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and are expected to table their reports in the House for consideration. 

Upon the resumption of Sittings tomorrow, the House will also be expected to consider and approve, the Calendar for the Second Session 2023(Regular Sittings); the membership of the House Business Committee, Committee of Parliamentary Powers and Privileges, and that of the Select Committee on Members Services and Facilities. These committees are sessional and their membership has to be approved every new session.

Two new Members of the National Assembly are also set to be sworn in. Newly-elected Member for Garissa Township, Hon. Dekow Barrow Mohamed and his Kandara counterpart, Hon. Chege Njuguna, who were both elected on United Democratic Movement (UDA) party tickets, in the just concluded by-elections held last month. They replace Hon. Aden Duale and Hon. Alice Wahome respectively, following their appointment to the Cabinet.

The House is also expected to consider and debate the Presidential Memorandum to Parliament proposing three key constitutional amendments. President Dr. William Ruto in a memo dated December 9, 2022, had urged Parliament to consider the amendments including a proposal on the law on two-third gender principle to pave way for the implementation of the two-third gender rule. The other proposals are with regard to amending chapter 9 of the Constitution to create an office of the Official Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. The president had noted that this move would institutionalize governance, strengthen oversight and deepen democracy. 

The President had also voiced his support for Parliament’s bid to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund, the Senate Oversight, and the National Government Affirmative Action Funds in the Constitution.

Other notable legislative activities expected during this Session include proposed amendments of the Standing Orders to allow the appearance of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) before the House Plenary. This follows a sustained call by President Dr. William Ruto for Parliament to reintroduce the famed ‘Question Time’ in a move he says will entrench oversight over his government. Through his proposal, President Ruto wants the Houses to amend their Standing Orders to have CSs to appear before Parliament to respond to Members’ Questions.

During the recent Post-Election Seminar for Members of the National Assembly, both the President and his Deputy, who featured during the Opening and Closing ceremonies, reiterated this call.

“In keeping with this commitment to enhancing government accountability, I have formally requested Parliament to formulate within its procedures a mechanism for cabinet secretaries to appear before the House and give account to the people’s representatives. I am steadfast in the conviction that articulating government policy and answering questions from the floor of the House is fundamental to the transparency and accountability of our government”, the President told MPs then.

The other notable development expected during the Session is the establishment of working relations with the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.  In the recent past, the President has committed to improving the relations between the Executive and Parliament as well as enhancing parliamentary oversight of the Executive for increased accountability. Towards this end, the President anchored a role in the coordination of the legislative agenda within the Office of The Prime Cabinet Secretary through Executive Order No.1 of 2023.

With regard to legislation, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2022, is scheduled to form part of the priority business for the week. The Bill popularly known as the omnibus Bill seeks to introduce amendments to over 50 laws, among them, the Energy Act, 2019; the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012; The Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012, the National Transport and Safety Authority Act, 2012; the Scrap Metal Act, 2015; the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011 and the International Crimes Act, 2008.

The House through its relevant committees is also expected to conduct vetting and approval hearings of various Presidential nominees to state and public offices, among them the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Kenya.