The Senate Committee on Finance and Budget convened today to review public participation submissions received concerning the proposed amendments to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act.

The session centred around the PFM Amendment Bill, which aims to streamline budget processes and enhance fiscal discipline among County Governments.

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations convened a high-stakes session on Thursday to address mounting concerns over significant delays in compensating police officers injured in the line of duty. With a backlog of unresolved claims, lawmakers probed systemic failures, confronting officials over prolonged waits for officers who, despite fulfilling all requirements, remain uncompensated.

A watchdog Committee of the Senate has faulted Governor Fatuma Achani of making adjustments to the approved budget of Kwale County Executive without seeking the authority of the people as required by the law.

The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) also raised concern over a litany of gaps in the county’s budgeting process adding that the Governor has done little to raise the county’s own source revenue since she seized power in 2022.

In a decisive blow to proposed constitutional reforms, the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights has recommended the rejection of a controversial bill that sought to extend the terms of elected officials from five to seven years.

The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Senator Samson Cherarkey, faced public opposition during the consultation phase, with 99.99% of submissions expressing strong disapproval.

In a spirited exchange during a public participation forum on the Sports Amendment Bill, 2024, the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare pushed back against a proposal by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, suggesting that counties independently manage the establishment of sports academies without a statutory framework. Sponsored by Senators Prof. Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) and Raphael Chimera, the Bill seeks to establish county sports academies nationwide and includes protections against abuse and exploitation of minors in sports.

Sen. Hezena Lemaletian has raised concerns about the longstanding land ownership dispute over Oljorai Farm in Mbaruk-Eburu Ward, Gilgil Constituency, Nakuru County.

While seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the floor of the House this afternoon, the Nominated Senator asked the Lands Committee to report to the Senate the reasons for the non-implementation of the 1998 directive by the then President, the late Daniel Moi.