Parliament resumes its sittings today after a long recess that began in early December 2024, with lawmakers expected to handle a busy legislative agenda in both the National Assembly and Senate.
Among the key issues on the table is the reconstitution and approval of membership for 18 parliamentary committees.
The House Business Committee, chaired by the Speaker, will oversee the process and is also expected to receive nominations for the leadership of the committees from both the majority and minority sides.
The committees to be reconstituted include audit committees, the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Public Debt and Privatization Committee, and three sessional committees.
MPs are also set to deliberate on the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Debt Management Strategy, which must be submitted to the House by February 15, 2025.
Several Bills that are at various stages are also set to be re-introduced for consideration by legislators.
Key among them includes the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (2023) which seeks to streamline revenue generation at the County level as well as the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, both of which are in Mediation.
Bills awaiting Committee of the Whole House including the County Governments (Revenue Raising Process) Bill, 2023, the Regional Development Authorities Bill, 2023; and the Kenya National Library Service Bill, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Senate will resume its sittings at 2:30PM, marking the beginning of the Fourth Session of the 4th Senate.
The upper house will also kick off its agenda with the restructuring of key Senate committees.
These include the Senate Business Committee, which will be reconstituted pursuant to Standing Order 190 (1), the County Public Accounts Committee under Standing Order 193, the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee in line with Standing Order 194, and the Committee on Delegated Legislation as per Standing Order 195.
Senators will also prioritize critical financial and legislative matters including the passage of the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for 2025 in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFM) and Standing Order 186(1).
Additionally, Senators will deliberate on the Division of Revenue Bill (2025/2026), the County Allocation of Revenue Bill (2025/2026) and the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (2025/2026) alongside approving the Cash Disbursement Schedules.
