SENATE SPECIAL SITTING

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Convening of Special Sittings of the Senate

The House was convened for a Special Sitting for the consideration of the following business: –

1. The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.56 of 2021);
2. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.53 of 2021);
3. The County Hall of Fame Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2021);
4. The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.33 of 2021);
5. The Kenyan Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.5 of 2021);
6. The County Oversight and Accountability Bill (Senate Bills No.17 of 2021);
7. The Heritage and Museums Bill (Senate Bills No.22 of 2021);
8. The County Governments (Amendment) Bill, (Senate Bills No.38 of 2021); and,
9. The Inter-governmental Relations (Amendment) Bill, (Senate Bills No. 37 of 2021).

MESSAGE

Passage of the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The House was informed of the passage of the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.56 of 2021) by the National Assembly.

The Bill was published vide Kenya Gazette Supplement No.219 of 26^th November, 2021 as a Bill concerning county governments seeking to amend the Political Parties Act (No.11 of 2011). It was passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday, 5th January 2022 with amendments and referred to the Senate for consideration. The Bill will be proceeded with by the Senate in the same manner as a Bill introduced in the Senate by way of First Reading.  

BILLS

1. The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.56 of 2021)

The Bill underwent First Reading and was committed to the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights for consideration. The Bill will be processed in accordance with law and public participation will be observed in the disposal of the Bill.

2. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.53 of 2021)

The Bill was coming up for a Second Reading. The Bill seeks to amend the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act, 2013 by deleting the provision that requires county governments to procure drugs and medical supplies from Authority as the first point of call. The repeal of the provision will allow county governments to procure drugs and medical supplies from suppliers other than the Authority thereby ensuring adequate fill rated for both drugs and medical supplies.

The Bill was accordingly read the Second Time and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

3. The County Hall of Fame Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2021)

The Bill came up for consideration under the Committee of the Whole House. The Bill seeks to provide a means through which exceptional individuals in each County are recognized and honoured by their Counties.

The Committee of the Whole House considered the Bill and approved it with amendments. As such, the Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed.

4. The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.33 of 2021)

The Bill came up for consideration under the Committee of the Whole House. The Bill seeks to put in place mechanisms for the protection of the interests of Kenyans living abroad and to ensure their active participation in the socio-economic development of the country.

The Committee of the Whole House considered the Bill and approved it with amendments. As such, the Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed.

5. Kenyan Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.5 of 2021)

The Bill came up for consideration under the Committee of the Whole House. The Bill seeks to provide for the use of sign language in judicial proceedings, schools and public institutions to ensure that deaf learners are given the same opportunities as all other learners to be productive members of the society.

The Committee of the Whole House considered the Bill and approved it with amendments. As such, the Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed.