The National Assembly Procedure and House Rules Committee, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 met to consider and evaluate a number of procedural aspects for effective conduct of House business. The procedural aspects were instituted in the last three sessions to ensure that the Houses address procedural bottlenecks. Among the aspects evaluated were, the Question Time and Public Petitions Committee. Also included for consideration is the recently passed the Houses of Parliament (Bicameral Relations) Bill, and proposed amendments to the Standing Orders.

The session was officially opened and chaired by the First Chairperson of Committees, Hon. Martha Wangari (Gilgil) on behalf of the substantive Chairperson, the Hon. Speaker.

The first presentation was by the Deputy Director, Legislative and Procedural Services, Mr. Rana Tiampati on overview of Question Time. The presentation covered the progress so far, effectiveness, suggestions for areas for improvement, and, statistics on questions asked during the Second and Third Sessions of the current Parliament.

The Committee observed that the Question Time is working despite a number of procedural and administrative bottlenecks including the appearance of Cabinet Secretaries, management of the Question Time and timelines allocated for Questions.

Further, on the consideration of the Houses of Parliament (Bicameral Relations) Bill, the Committee noted that once enacted, the Standing Orders will have to be amended. To accommodate provisions of Part III of the Bill on joint resolutions of a question under Article 110 (3) of the Constitution, it was proposed that Standing Order No. 121 (2) be amended to allow the Speaker of either House to be seized of a question at any time before the period specified for Second Reading.

Additionally, it was proposed that Standing Order No. 121 be amended to make express provision on the procedure upon disagreement by Speaker of the second House and make provisions for conciliation to resolve disagreement.

On handling Money Bills by the two Houses, Standing Orders 142, 143 and 144 have been earmarked for amendment to make express provisions on what happens when the Senate considers and passes a Money Bill.

The Bill sponsored by Hon. Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), which has since been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the Senate for consideration, seeks to foster bicameral relations by prescribing procedures for ensuring seamless consideration of legislative business in both Houses.

The Procedure and House Rules Committee comprises of the Speaker as Chairperson, the Deputy Speaker, Members of the Chairpersons Panel and not more than 13 other Members. It is tasked with considering and reporting to the House all matters relating to Standing Orders. It also proposes, to the House, rules for orderly and effective conduct of Committee business.