•Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said that the senate fully embarked on its work and asked the members to be committed and work round the clock to clear bills and other businesses.
•He regretted that for the two months the House has been in session, a majority of the Senators do not attend plenary sittings and even if they do, they leave by 4 pm.
Image: KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN/FACEBOOK
More than 30 bills that collapsed in the last senate are set to be re-introduced even as the lawmakers are warned to take their legislative work seriously or be de-whipped ahead of the busy session.
Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said that the senate fully embarked on its work and asked the members to be committed and work round the clock to clear bills and other businesses.
He regretted that for the two months the House has been in session, a majority of the Senators do not attend plenary sittings and even if they do, they leave by 4 pm.
This, he said, does not only affect the fast-tracking of House business but also does not give the citizens value for their money.
“It paints a very bad picture that by 4 pm, the House is almost empty. We will withdraw your membership for other lighter duties if you do not show up and don’t participate in the committees or floor of the House,” he said.
“The whip is under strong instructions to de-whip a member if they are not participating actively in the committee work,” he added.
“It is quite a substantial amount of money to take care of a single Senator for five years. People we represent must get value for money. We must put into prudent use the money we get from the taxpayers,” he said.
He emphasized that if the senators do not work with speed, the problem of backlog of business will remain at the e
Among the bills set for reintroduction are the County E-health Bill, County Boundaries Bill, Health Laws (Amendment) Bill and Employment (Amendment) Bill.
On the sibling rivalry, Cheruiyot said that they have their conditions which they have agreed with as a House and will be presented to their National Assembly counterpart for concurrence.
“We have agreed on many issues. We have given our views to our Speaker who will table the same before his colleague in the National Assembly for concurrence. We need to end this sibling rivalry if we can agree on the issues,” said Cheruiyot.
Cheruiyot spoke at the start of the Senators' induction in Mombasa on Wednesday.
Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye said that the training is meant to equip the legislators with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate.
“You will be taken through legislative matters including standing orders, the law-making process, motions, statements and petitions,” said the clerk.
The senators will also be taken through the roles and duties of the committees as well as the management of county offices.
Welcoming the Senators to his, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir urged them to unlock the passage of the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2022.
If passed, the bill unlocks the release of Sh37 billion in grants to the counties.
The County Additional Allocation Bill was passed by the Senate in the last Session but has since been delayed at the National Assembly.
“There was a bill that was passed in the Senate on conditional grants and equalization fund. We want you to help us fast-track it. An issue affecting Mombasa County is affecting all Counties in the country,” said Nassir.
According to the Mombasa County chief, the Senate should legislate on how the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) needs to engage with Counties.
“It is important; KRA needs to realize that we are providing services to the citizens. Legislation should be passed that Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to be deducted from the source.”
“It is not right to be held hostage because of the element of fear that KRA is going for your neck,” he said.