•The Senate is also staring at losing several crucial Bills that were in various stages of consideration by senators.
•On their last normal sitting on Tuesday, Senators pushed for consideration of the lapsing Bills by the next Parliament.
The Senate on Tuesday adjourned indefinitely (sine die) having handled 75 bills with a paltry 17 becoming law over the five years.
The second Senate however rated itself highly with members, saying their performance was unmatched despite the challenges.
It is during the 12th Parliament that bitter rivalry between the Senate and the National Assembly played out as the bicameral House tussled over mandate.
Out of the 75 bills passed, 17 were assented to by President Uhuru Kenyatta and another two are still waiting for the President’s assent.
They are the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill.
Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio said the bulk of the unassented bills are either lying before the National Assembly or are undergoing a concurrence process.
“Twenty six bills were considered and referred to the National Assembly. These Bills are still under consideration by the national assembly and yet to be referred back to the Senate,” Poghisio said.
“There are 20 bills which are undergoing concurrence process under Article 110 (3) of the Constitution.”
The Senate is staring at losing several crucial Bills that were in various stages of consideration by senators.
On their last normal sitting on Tuesday, Senators pushed for consideration of the lapsing Bills by the next Parliament claiming a number of the pending legislations are key in strengthening devolution.
Poghisio urged the next Senate to consider isolating and republishing some of the good pending legislative proposals.
“I, therefore, urge the next Senate leadership to separate the politics of the day from their constitutional and cardinal mandate of protecting devolution,” Poghisio said.
“In so doing, the next Senate will go a long way in entrenching constitutionalism, the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the legislative process.”
Nominated Senator Agnes Zani said they prioritise their Bills and it is unlikely that these Bills will be considered by the Senate in the life of the 12th Parliament.
Senators will be going home with 22 Bills pending before the House, seven of the lapsing Bills are at the Second Reading stage while 15 are at the Committee of the Whole stage.
Of these bills, five were scheduled for Division at the Committee of the Whole Stage.
“I urge all Senators to take responsibility and ensure that you are in the Chamber this afternoon, to undertake these divisions, alongside Motions listed at Orders No. 18 and 19,” Pogisio urged senators in the morning.
During the five years, the senate received 145 petitions and managed to have a report on 114 cases by Tuesday translating to 78 per cent of all the petitions received.
“This indicates that there are 31 petitions that are yet to be finalised by respective standing committees,” Poghisio said.
Article 119 of the Constitution gives every citizen a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including enacting, amending, or repealing any legislation.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris