- Speaker has urged the House to go the extra mile to clear the backlog of legislative proposals.
- MPs will first consider and approve the House Business Committee.
Image: FILE
Members of the National Assembly reconvene today for regular sessions after a two-month recess.
MPs will in the afternoon first consider and approve the sitting’s calendar as well as membership of the House Business Committee, which is usually done at the commencement of every session.
According to Standing Order 171(1) of the National Assembly, the House Business Committee is chaired by the Speaker and includes the Leader of the Majority Party, the Leader of the Minority Party, the Whip of the Majority Party, and the Whip of the Minority Party.
Additionally, the committee comprises nine other members nominated by parties.
Duties of the House Business Committee include preparing and adjusting the Parliamentary Calendar with the approval of the House, monitoring and overseeing the implementation of House Business and programmes.
And as the House resumes sittings, National Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has urged legislators to attend assembly proceedings promptly to address critical issues without delay.
Speaking over the weekend during a fundraiser at St. Andrew Kaggwa Catholic Church in Kwanza constituency, Wetang'ula noted a lot of work awaits MPs.
“I want to remind members of the overflowing in-tray that awaits you. I encourage all MPs to attend the House proceedings promptly as required and ensure there is no interruption of business or delay in debates,” Wetang'ula emphasised.
Echoing Speaker Wetang'ula’s sentiments, Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah stressed the importance of readiness among members, noting a substantial number of legislative proposals awaiting consideration.
He urged the House to go the extra mile to clear the backlog of legislative proposals.
“I want to remind MPs to go an extra mile to clear a backlog of legislative proposals before the House,” Ichung’wah said.
In its in-tray, the House will nominate and approve representatives to serve on key committees such as the Powers and Privileges Committee and the Select Committee on Members' Services and Facilities.
These committee memberships are renewed at the start of each new session.
Members will consider the Budget Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year 2024/2025 and discuss the Supplementary Budget expected to be submitted to the House by next Monday.
The Affordable Housing Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 75 of 2023), aimed at establishing a legal framework for the Affordable Housing Fund, will be among the Bills under consideration.
The House will also deliberate on Health regulations currently undergoing countrywide public participation and consider the adoption of the Report by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).