𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐒, 𝐈𝐆

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations this Thursday adjourned a scheduled meeting with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration following the absence of Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

Senator Moses Kajwang’ has called for enhanced financial autonomy and stronger governance structures within county assemblies, warning that limited funding independence continues to weaken oversight and slow down service delivery across counties.

Speaking as a panelist at the Legislative Summitheld in Mombasa Couty on the topic “Strengthening Governance and Financial Autonomy of County Assemblies for Sustainable Development,” Kajwang’ said county assemblies must be empowered both financially and institutionally to effectively hold county executives accountable.

Kenyans are set for relief after the National Assembly passed the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2026), cutting VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent in a move lawmakers say will lower fuel costs and stimulate economic activity.

The Bill amends the Value Added Tax Act to cushion households and firms grappling with elevated transport and production costs driven largely by global oil market volatility.

Lawmakers from the National Assembly today shared knowledge and experiences on best Parliamentary practices with Members of Parliament from Ghana's House Committee.

In a Joint meeting co-chaired by the Chairpersons for the Committees on Broadcasting & Library and that of Members Service & Facilities, Hon. Daniel Nanok & Hon. (Dr.) Karani Stephen Wachira respectively, the MPs shared their mandates, experiences and challenges encountered in discharging their oversight, legislative and representation duties constituents.

Next week, starting Monday, April 20th, the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining shall undertake rigorous public hearings on the proposed Amendments to the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.38 of 2025.)

The Committee shall engage members of the public in two delegations of MPs that shall cover select regions across twelve Counties, in a span of five days. 

The National Assembly has approved a motion granting a charter to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), paving the way for its elevation into a specialised degree-awarding institution focused on advanced human health research.

The motion, moved by Gichugu MP  Hon. Robert Gichimu, sought the House’s approval of the Draft Charter in line with Section 24(1) of the Universities Act.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has provided fresh details on the handling of petroleum imports at the Port of Mombasa, including a precise account of the docking and discharge of MT Paloma, as the Senate widens its probe to include fuel quality concerns.

The Authority revealed that MT Paloma arrived at the outer port limits on March 27, 2026, at 2:30 a.m., carrying 60,200.813 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as declared in cargo manifest by Sturrock Shipping (Kenya) Limited.

Senator Wakil Hillary Sigei has called for closer coordination between the Senate and county assemblies to strengthen oversight and improve service delivery, warning that weak follow-through on audit findings continues to undermine devolution.

Senator Miraj Abdillahi, a member of the Senate’s Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, has urged county assemblies to take a more active and structured role in Kenya’s affordable housing agenda, emphasizing oversight, equity and intergovernmental coordination as critical to delivering sustainable urban development.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi addressed the Sixth Legislative Summit, declaring that the future of devolution hinges on stronger, more independent county assemblies, even as Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, through Senate Majority Whip Wakoli Wafula, called for deeper legislative collaboration and accountability. The summit, held at the Sapphire Hotel in Mombasa, has brought together Senators, Governors, MCAs and Development Partners under the theme, “Resilient County Assemblies: Reinforcing Representation, Legislation and Oversight.”

A fresh twist has emerged in Kenya’s ongoing petroleum crisis after Oryx Energies Kenya Ltd detailed how a multi-million fuel supply deal was abruptly cancelled while shipments were already en route, raising serious concerns over the integrity of emergency procurement processes.

The National Assembly has approved the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission (Remuneration and Benefits of State and Other Public Officers) Regulations, 2025, a move lawmakers say will usher in fairness, transparency and fiscal discipline across the public sector.

Members of the National Assembly have begun debate on the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a proposed law seeking to formally recognise Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) institutions and align the education framework with constitutional guarantees.

The Bill, sponsored by Mathare MP Hon. Anthony Oluoch aims to amend the Basic Education Act, 2013 to anchor non-formal learning institutions within Kenya’s formal education system, particularly targeting learners in informal settlements and marginalised areas.

The Clerk of the National Assembly  Mr. Samuel Njoroge today attended the Church Funeral Service of the Late Ol Kalou MP Hon. David Kiaraho where he gave a tribute on behalf of the Management team in honor of the Late MP. 

Mr. Njoroge acknowledged the delicacy of a situation where a deceased politician leaves behind a family that needs time and space to mourn and honor their departed, saying it is a situation most often than not, is unfortunately disregarded during the funeral process. 

Members of Parliament that attended the Requiem Service for the late Ol Kalou MP Hon. David Kiaraho in Nairobi today eulogized him as a dependable and independent-thinker who displayed professionalism in all his undertakings as a Leader and Legislator. 

Kiambu residents and stakeholders have championed Thika Municipality's City Status Bid, calling it a dream that is long overdue. 

Following a high-level consultative meeting with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations moved to the Mount Kenya University Pavilion earlier today to hear directly from the people of Thika. 

Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula joined thousands of mourners who gathered at the proposed Nyandarua University grounds in Nyandarua County for a memorial service in honour of the late Ol Kalou MP, Hon. David Njuguna Kiaraho.

The solemn service was attended by H.E President William Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, other leaders, clergy, and members of the public. It offered an opportunity to pay last respects to the late MP.

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2026, has been signed into law. The Bill now Act seeks to align spending with emerging priorities, including security operations, education needs, healthcare funding, and infrastructure development.

The increase represents a 9.1 per cent rise from the original budget of KSh4.301 trillion. Of the additional funds, KSh363.8 billion will go to the National Government, while KSh29.2 billion is allocated to Consolidated Fund Services.

The Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHR) has pushed for an urgent policy shift to stop the prosecution and re-victimization of Female Genital Mutilation survivors. Meeting with the Anti-FGM Board leadership, the lawmakers agreed that the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011 has inadvertently led to victims being treated as criminals.