Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has handed over the presidency of the Forum of the Parliaments of International Conference on the Great Lakes Region during a function in Juba, South Sudan.

Speaker Kingi handed over the mantle to Rt Hon Jemma Nunu Kumba, who is the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislature of the Republic of South Sudan.

The handing over ceremony took place at the end of the 13th Plenary Assembly of FP-ICGLR that was held in Juba, South Sudan. 

The Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, CBS earlier today opened an induction workshop for the new staff in the leadership offices in the Senate held at Pride Inn Plaza, Signature Mall in Athi River.

The theme of the workshop is ‘Induction as a toolkit for service delivery in a Legislature’.

In his opening remarks, the Clerk congratulated the officers for securing such a great opportunity to serve in the leadership offices of the Senate. 

The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy met to examine the audited accounts of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for Financial Years 2015/2016 to 2020/2021.

The Committee chaired by Pokot South MP Hon. David Pkosing cross-examined KRA officials led by Acting Commissioner General Ms. Risper Simiyu on several audit queries raised by the Auditor-General in the years under review. 

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Thursday, March 31, 2023, presided over the official opening of the 13th Assembly of Speakers of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) in Juba, South Sudan.

FP-ICGLR was formed on December 4th, 2008 in Kigali, the Republic of Rwanda and has remained focused on implementing the Great Lakes Region’s Pact on Security, Stability and Development, signed on December 15th, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers’ Committee and the Departmental Committee on Labour this morning jointly hosted the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour of the Republic of South Africa which is in the country for a one-week study tour.

Making their opening remarks during the 2-hour engagement characterized by sharing of experiences on Labour and Employment matters, Committee Co-Chairs Hon. Eric Muchangi (Runyejes) and Hon. Lydia Haika Mizighi, lauded the lawmakers for choosing Kenya as their benchmark destination.

The Budget and Appropriations Committee chaired by Hon. Ndindi Nyoro has received proposed amendments to various Bills.

In a proposal to amend the Health Act, Hon. Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga) wants public and private hospitals to be barred from detaining  patients or bodies for non-payment of hospital bills. 

Hon. Maina is seeking a new section which prohibits detention of patients, deceased bodies and patients for failing to pay medical bills after being discharged to the Health Act (2017).

The National Assembly Regional Integration  Committee carried out inspection visits to various projects in Mombasa County and other regions in the coastal area.

The delegation led by, Hon. David Ochieng (Ugenya), visited Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Mombasa County, Mariakani Weighbridge in Kilifi County and Holili One Stop Border Post in Taita Taveta County.

The process of recruiting a Chairperson and Six Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is taking shape as the Selection Panel commenced the long listing process of applications.

The IEBC Selection Panel started the long listing process for applicants for the position of Chairperson and the Six Commissioners yesterday after expiry on the one month period for application for the positions. 

The Panel's Chairperson, Dr Nelson Makanda, launched the exercise that is being undertaken by members of the Secretariat.

The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education is this week holding meetings with select Universities, and Technical & Vocational Training Institutions in the Central region to deliberate on Audit Queries raised by the Reports of the Auditor General.

Nine hundred and twenty five Kenyans have applied for the position of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners, a recruiting Panel has announced.

The IEBC Selection Panel Chairperson Dr. Nelson Makanda said the Electoral body's position of Chairperson attracted 25 applicants by close of applications deadline.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN MOURNING

The National Assembly is mourning the demise of Banissa MP Hon. Kulow Maalim Hassan.

Hon. Hasan passed on this morning at Aga Khan Hospital following a grisly road accident in Nairobi on Saturday.

The MP was serving his second term as Member for Banissa Constituency. He served in Public Accounts Committee and the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

HOUSE EXTENDS PERIOD FOR CONSIDERING PROPOSED CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

The National Assembly has extended by 90 days the period for consideration of proposed amendments that will entrench three funds in the Constitution.

The Co-Chairperson, Joint Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on proposal to amend the Constitution to entrench certain specialized funds Hon. Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi) said the move had been necessitated by the complexity of the legislative proposals, which has occasioned the need for more deliberations among Members and key stakeholders.

The 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR).

Mandera senator Ali Roba presided over the meeting on behalf of the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

Speaker Kingi is the current president of the FP-ICGLR.

The meeting of the executive Committee centred on security and the political situation in the Great Lakes Region.

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy led by the Vice Chairperson, Sen. William Kipsang' Kipkemoi held a meeting today to consider pre-publication scrutiny of The Local Content Bill, 2023.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee  on Tourism and Wildlife chaired by Hon. Kareke Mbiuki has directed  the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to stop the construction of the multi-billion Ronald Ngala Utalii College until a probe the Committee has initiated is concluded.

Further, the Committee wants the National Treasury to provide a clear roadmap on how it will finance the project and clear the pending bills which include penalties arising from delayed payment and lack of funding on time.

The 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) opened its sittings in Juba South Sudan.

The Session will run between March 28 to 29, 2023.

Mandera Senator Ali Roba presided over the meeting of the Committee.

Senator Roba leads the Kenyan delegation on behalf of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who is the President of the Forum.

The theme of this year’s Conference is “Parliamentary Diplomacy for Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes”.