Trade, Industry & Cooperatives Committee engaged its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies last week on the proposed Expenditure Estimates for Financial Year 2023/24.

The Committee led by the Chairperson Hon. James Gakuyu sought information on whether the MDAs intend to complete existing projects before embarking on new ones as well as the possibility of the SAGAs under the Ministries collecting more Appropriations-in- Aid (A in A) to reduce the burden on the Exchequer.

The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation concluded its Budget deliberations with the State Department for Water and Sanitation led by Cabinet Secretary (CS), Hon. Alice Wahome and her Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh.

The Committee led by Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) questioned the CS on the Kenya Water Institute’s (KEWI) financial discrepancies. Members noted that Kshs125 million was disbursed to the Institution but only Kshs60 million was recorded in the Budget Estimates.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Fisheries Chaired by Hon. Kangogo Bowen met officials of the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation led by the Cabinet Secretary Hon. Alice Wahome, and the Principal Secretary for Irrigation Mr. Mugambi Gitonga. The team appeared before the Committee to provide clarifications and respond to questions concerning their submissions.

The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has directed the Kenya Maritime Authority KMA) to submit a copy of the contract for the construction of the Agency's Headquarters in Mombasa.

The directive by the Committee Chaired by Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South) followed revelations by the Auditor General that there had been three additional projects issued under the contract, without documentary evidence of approval as required by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act  (2015).

The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang'ula, met with officials from the Electorate Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at his office in the Parliament Buildings.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Integration supports the Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development's plans to incorporate operationalization of virtual weighbridges in order to increase transparency and accountability in weighbridges operations.

In a consultative meeting with the Principal Secretary of EAC affairs, Mr. Abdi Dubart,  Members wanted to know how the Ministry was addressing delays and corruption at weighbridges.