Economists, fiscal analysts, scholars and development partners have converged in Mombasa for the the 6th Annual Conference for the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO).

The conference themed “The role of PBOs in African Parliaments Fiscal Oversight; Contribution to the African Development Agenda”, is hosted by the Parliament of Kenya and has brought together delegates from 15 Parliamentary Budget offices across Africa and a number of development partners.

The Cabinet Secretary  Interior and Administration of National Government, Prof Kithure Kindiki, has assured the departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that peace has been restored in the six North Rift counties that were declared as disturbed.

Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee have received assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu that no university will turn away any first year Government-sponsored student over lack of fees when the institutions of higher learning reopen next week. 

The CS appeared before the Committee led by the  Vice-Chairperson Hon.  Malulu Injendi ( Malava), to shed light on the new university funding model.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chaired by Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka) has received Legislative Proposals from Hon. Owen Baya (Kilifi North), on the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Hon. Wamboka Wanami (Bumula), on the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Members of the National Assembly continued debate on the Sugar Bill )National Assembly Bill Number 34 of 2022).

The Bill proposes the introduction of a sugar development levy on imported sugar. This is intended  to support the local sugar industry. The levy allocation is outlined as follows: 15 per cent for the maintenance of local factories, 15 percent for local research, 40 percent for cane development for farmers, 15 percent for the Sugar Regulation Board, and 10 percent for roads and infrastructure development in sugar belt regions.

The Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH, has convened a Special Senate sitting on Tuesday.

Through the Gazette Notice dated August 25, 2023, Speaker Kingi appointed Tuesday August 29, 2023 as a day for a special sitting of the Senate.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Susan Nakhumicha, has pledged to constitute a multi-sectoral medical team to review the medical records and needs of the 1998 U.S. Embassy Bombing survivors to see how they can be assisted by the Government. 

At the moment, the bombing attack victims are forced to dig deeper into their pockets to cater for their medical care despite not being at fault for their injuries. 

Members of the National Assembly have expressed outrage at the continued incarceration of 40 Kenyan herders of Turkana origin in neighbouring Uganda since April this year.

The debate was triggered by a Statement from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, read on the Floor of the House by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Kimani Ichung'wa on the matter.

The  National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining held a budget implementation oversight meeting with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

During the meeting chaired by Hon. Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi) NEMA Director General, Mr. Omamo Omamo asked the Committee to help the Authority get more budgetary allocation saying that lack of adequate funding to recruit staff has hindered its efficiency in upholding the plastic ban that has been in place since 2017.

The National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration has been told that all roadblocks across the country will be removed by November this year.

This is according to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Administration of National Government, Prof. Kithure Kindiki who  appeared before the Committee. 

In a session chaired by the Vice-Chairperson Hon. Yaqub Salah (Fafi)  the CS stated that the move is one of the approaches that his Ministry has taken to minimize disruptions caused by police roadblocks across the country and along the Northern Corridor.

The National Assembly has debated the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The Bill moved by Leader of Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu) seeks to amend various Acts of Parliament relating to money laundering, countering financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Today, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, delved into the issues highlighted in the Auditor General regarding the financial statements of the Lamu Water and Sewerage Company (LAWASCO) for the fiscal years 2018-2021. Lamu County Governor, Issa Timamy, attended the meeting to provide responses to the concerns raised.

The Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations and Committee on Delegated Legislation held a meeting with the Chairperson, Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman), Hon. Florence Kajuju.

Members of the National Assembly have raised concerns regarding high admission fees charged  by Kenyan public universities.

In a statement on the Floor, Hon. Jared Okello (Nyando) told the House that some public universities charge entry fees of between Kshs. 258,000 and Kshs.450,000.

Hon. Okello said the high fees were unaffordable to most students, leading to a massive upsurge in the number of families organizing fundraisers to send their children for higher education.

The National Assembly continued with debate on the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Bill seeks to amend the Climate Change Act of 2016 to provide for regulation of the carbon markets.

This provision will provide the legal framework for carbon trading which was lacking in the law enacted in 2016 to enhance response to climate change through mechanisms for a low carbon climate resilient environment. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Hon. Soipan Tuya, has apprised the National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill 2023.

The Committee chaired by Hon. David Gikaria (Nakuru East) heard that the objective of the Bill, sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichungw’ah (Kikuyu), is to legislate on carbon, carbon rights, carbon markets and trading.

The National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration chaired by Hon. Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri0 has been told the high cost of production and manufacturing is affecting the country’s ability to attract investors. 

This is according to the Principal Secretary, State Department of Trade, Mr. Alfred K’Ombudo, who appeared before the Committee. 

However, Mr. K'ombudo told Members that the Ministry had put in place measures to address the challenge and position Kenya for investors to locate it as their destination within the East Africa Community (EAC) and globally.

Members of the National Assembly have condemned the recent attack of Hon. Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga County) in Kerugoya Town.

Hon. Maina, who was on foot on a meet the people tour in the town on Tuesday morning was attacked by people who allegedly wanted to block her from addressing residents.

The Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung'wa  told the House that the Member is in a stable condition after having been taken to hospital for treatment.