Key House highlights of the year

In 2022, the National Assembly and the Senate considered various businesses in their respective order papers.  As 2022 comes to an end, below is a summary of crucial businesses that were transacted in both Houses:

MOTIONS

Below are some of the Motions that were debated in the House

1. The National Assembly debated on a Motion on the approval of nominees to various National Government Constituency Development Fund committees.
2. There was a Special Motion on consideration of various nominees for appointment as Principal Secretaries.
3. Approval of nominees to various National Government Constituency Development Fund committees.
4. Appointment of members to the Parliamentary Service Commission.
5. Development of a unified national policy on small and micro-enterprises.
6. Appointment of Members of Parliament to the Parliamentary Service Commission.
7. The National Assembly approved the appointment of the joint committee on the elections to the EALA.
8. The Senate approved the raising of the debt ceiling by the National Government to KShs10 trillion. The Motion was passed. 

Majority Party in the House

The House resolved on the Majority Party. Kenya Kwanza was declared the Majority Party by Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula on October 7, 2022.

Debate on President Ruto’s speech

Debate on the address by President William Ruto during the opening of the 13th Parliament (1st, 2nd and 3rd allotted days).

President William Ruto addressed a joint sitting of both the National Assembly and Senate on Thursday, September 29, 2022, for the opening of the 13th Parliament.

Opening of the 13th Parliament

Opening of the 13th  Parliament was held in the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 2.30 p.m. 

Laws of the Year

Bills in the National Assembly

1. The Sugar Bill, 2022

The Bill went through the First Reading on November 9, 2022. The purpose of the Bill is to re-establish the Kenya Sugar Board for the regulation of the sugar industry. The Bill also imposes the Sugar Development Levy on domestic sugar and at 10% of CIF on imported sugar.

2. The Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bill has yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013, to require the Clerk of the relevant House of Parliament to notify the public of the annulment or revocation of a statutory instrument. This will ensure the timely implementation of the resolutions of the House on delegated legislation.

3. The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bill is yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board as a body corporate. The Board is currently an agency within the National Treasury. The Bill also provides for accrual accounting in government.

4. The Land (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bill has yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to provide that where public land has been allocated to a public body for a public purpose, the Registrar of Lands shall issue a certificate of title in the name of the public body. This is to prevent fraudulent dealings in the land occasioned by the lack of a certificate of title.

5. The Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2022

The Bill has yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the development of policy guidelines to regulate the referral of patients to health institutions both within and outside the country.

6. The National Transport and Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bill has yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to allow the National Transport and Safety Authority to register and regulate public boda-bodas and tuk-tuks in the country.

7. The Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2022

The Bill has yet to undergo the First Reading in the National Assembly. The purpose of the Bill is to provide a timeline of ninety days within which pension shall be payable to an officer. This will remedy the delays experienced by pensioners upon maturity of pension funds.

2.0 Bills in the Senate

1. The County Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2022

The Bill underwent the First Reading on November 8, 2022, and was due for the second reading on December 7, 2022. The purpose of the Bill is to put in place a legal framework to govern the establishment and management of vocational education and training with the county.

2. The Natural Resources (Benefit Sharing) Bill

The Bill underwent the First Reading on December 1, 2022, and is due for the second reading on December 30, 2022. The purpose of the Bill is to establish a system of benefits sharing in natural resource exploitation between resource exploiters, the national government, county governments and local communities.

3. The Preservation of Human Dignity and Enforcement of Economic and Social

Rights Bill, 2022

The Bill underwent the First Reading on December 1, 2022 and is due for the second reading on  December 30, 2022. The purpose of the Bill is to establish a framework for the preservation of human dignity; for the promotion, monitoring and enforcement of economic and social rights, and to establish mechanisms to monitor and promote adherence by county governments to Article 43 of the Constitution.

BILLS AT THE PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL

The following Bills were assented to by President William Ruto after they were passed by Parliament.

• The Military Veterans Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 4 of 2022).
• The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
• The Finance Bill, 2022.
• The Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2022.
• The County Governments Additional Allocations (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bill No. 4 of 2022).

PETITIONS

Below is one of the major petitions that was tabled in Parliament in 2022.

•  A Petitioner, Rev Thumbi, wants the four IEBC Commissioners who faulted the August polls saying it was opaque removed from the Commission.

Appointments/approval of appointments by Parliament

The National Assembly approved the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries, the Attorney-General and Secretary to the Cabinet.

The National Assembly approved Eng. Japhet Koome Nchebere for appointment to the position of Inspector-General of the National Police Service.

The appointment of a joint select committee on election of members to the East African Legislative Assembly was moved and approved. The members were elected and sworn in Tanzania.

Approval of Senators to serve in the county public accounts committee; county public investments and special funds committee; and the committee on delegated legislation.

22 nominations by President Uhuru Kenyatta

The Speaker of the National Assembly confirmed receiving a message from then President Uhuru Kenyatta conveying his nomination of 22 persons for appointment as ambassadors, high commissioners and permanent representatives.