MPs plan another month–long recess until September

The National Assembly plans to break for yet another long recess beginning next week.

In a motion to be tabled by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, the House seeks to alter its calendar for the second session as adopted in April this year.

Ichungwah wants the parliamentarians to proceed on a month-long holiday from August 25 to September 25.

“THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 28(4), this House resolves to alter its calendar for the regular Sessions, as adopted on Wednesday, 15th February 2023 by varying the period for the long recess with respect to the second part of the session,” reads the order paper.

If approved, the legislators are set to return on September 26 to commence the third part of the session.

In the calendar, members were to resume on September 19 before breaking for a short recess on October 27 to November 6.

Christmas holiday is set to start on December 8 to January 12 where all committee sittings will remain suspended.

A recent scorecard report by Mzalendo Kenya on parliamentary performance shows that the House has fairly performed as per its expectations one year on.

The report, however, states that 15 MPs have never spoken in the House.

The House has considered 35 bills out of which 29 were originated by the MPs while one-the County Governments’ Additional Allocations Bill-being from the Senate

In terms of stages, some 24 bills are on the first reading, 18 taken through public participation, two on the second reading and eight being passed and signed into law.

Out of the 35 bills, 16 were individual member bills whereas three were sponsored by women- Gathoni Wamuchomba, Millie Odhiambo and Naisula Lesuuda.

Some of the bills passed include that of Finance Bill, IEBC amendment, Division of revenue and Appropriation Bills. 

Correspondingly, a total of 191 motions were filed, 157 having been adopted with 33 still pending.

Motions of interest were Older persons cash transfer program, regulation of lotteries and betting, usage of Langata cemetery and development of a program to cater for care of children whose mothers are held in lawful custody sponsored by Konoin MP Brighton Yegon.

During the same period, 297 questions have been asked with 287 being ordinary and 11 being those to be responded to by various committee and as written responses.