Senator Gataya Mo`fire has sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration regarding the declassification of Igamba-Ng`ombe Sub county in Tharaka Nithi County as an Arid and semi-Arid area (ASAL).

Sen. Mo`fire wants the committee to state measures, if any, to revoke declassification of Igamba-Ng`ombe Sub county as an ASAL area noting that such classification has an effect on allocation of funds by Government for development, provision of Government services as well as retention of public servants in the area.

Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera has sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on the construction of the Kwale-Kinango Road.

In his request, Sen. Chimera wants the committee to provide a comprehensive report on the current status of construction and maintenance of the Kwale-Kinango road, indicating the timeline for completion of the project explaining the challenges faced during the construction and maintenance process, detailing the measures being taken to address the challenges to ensure timely completion of the project.

Taita Taveta County Senator Johnes Mwaruma has sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the status of mineral royalty accounts in light of a court ruling that struck down part of the mining royalties distribution law.

Sen. Mwaruma wants the committee to state the number of companies undertaking mining activities in Taita Taveta County and actual location of the mining activities.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Salim Mvurya has defended the Bandari Maritime Academy's (BMA) role in the Senate. The discussions revolved around the Academy's transformative impact on maritime training, its success in placing graduates in global job markets, and its part in the government's commitment to train a significant number of seafarers annually. The session reaffirmed BMA's crucial role in advancing Kenya's Blue Economy and driving national economic growth.

The National Assembly's Select Committee on National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) chaired by Hon. Musa Sirma visited Awendo Constituency to inspect NG-CDF-funded projects in the area. 

The first project to be inspected was the Awendo Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). The project which began in 2018 has been completed and is operational. 

Making his remarks, the area Member of Parliament Mr. Walter Owino, who is also a Member of the Committee, thanked the country government for seconding staff to the KMTC to provide services. 

The past week has been a busy one for the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning which Monday, wound up phase one of public hearings on the Finance Bill, 2023. After receiving submissions and memoranda for eight-straight days from organised groups and individuals on various proposals contained on the Bill, the Committee which took a brief hiatus to conduct approval hearings and vetting for the nominee to the position of Central Bank Governor, is now scheduled to hold a Mwananchi forum on the Bill in Parliament.