Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Senate calls special sitting on Division of Revenue, 29 other Bills

MPs this week begun finalising the business of the current term of Parliament as the clock ticks down to June 15, the day both Houses are set to hold their last sittings before the lawmakers go on their final recess/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – Speaker Ekwee Ethuro has summoned Senators for a Special Sittings Friday afternoon to debate the contested Division of Revenue Bill and 29 other proposed laws.

In a gazette notice, the Speaker said the House has been mandated to seat until midnight so that it can conclude the business of the day and then it shall stand adjourned until Tuesday when it resumes regular sittings.

Progress on the legislation that provides for equitable division of revenue raised among National and County Governments was delayed by a deadlock between the National Assembly and the Senate on how much counties should get.

The National Assembly had approved a budget of Sh323 billion while the Senate wanted the amount increased to Sh353 billion.

In order to avert a budget crisis in counties, The Budget and Appropriations Committee reintroduced the Bill that stalled after the two Houses failed to agree on the amount of money to be transferred to the 47 devolved units.

The Mutava Musyimi (Mbeere)-led committee reintroduced the Bill after a mediation committee comprising members of the Senate and the National Assembly failed to agree on the amount of money to be sent to counties.

The mediation committee talks on the Bill collapsed after Senators missed the last meeting in protest at the National Assembly’s approval of the Appropriations Act.

The new Bill contains the Sh291 billion already = approved by the National Assembly.

The Bill must be approved by both Houses to pave the way for the passage of the County Allocation of Revenue Bill; which will allow counties to prepare their annual budgets.

Senators are also expected to debate the Assumption of Office of Governor Bill, Impeachment Procedure Bill, County Pension Scheme Bill among others.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

MPs this week begun finalising the business of the current term of Parliament as the clock ticks down to June 15, the day both Houses are set to hold their last sittings before the lawmakers go on their final recess.

With the term of Parliament ending on the day of the General Election, the MPs in the National Assembly and the Senate will continue to earn salaries, but no sitting allowances.

Either Houses can however be recalled for a special sitting if the need arises.

Over the next five days, the MPs are set to deal with any urgent pending business.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News